During the last 9 days, 247,000 people from 94 countries visited this, the largest and undoubtedly best boat show in the world.
This was also a year of records for boot Düsseldorf: 1,923 exhibitors from 68 different countries who presented sailing yachts, motor boats and accessories for all water sports activities on 220,000 square metres of stand space spread over 16 enormous halls.
The stand of Garcia Yachting, where a sistership (hull no. 15) of my own Aventura was exhibited, also attracted a large number of visitors interested in the Exploration 45 concept.
The show was also a good opportunity to present my two latest books.
And sign copies of the new edition of Cornells’ Ocean Atlas.
Among the many visitors who came to say hello were several sailors from Romania.
Outstanding among them were Marius and Catalina Albu who during the last ten years have sailed twice around the world on their 30-foot Phoenix.
With no time to spare, from Düsseldorf I flew to Barbados to welcome the six boats in the Caribbean Odyssey that were getting close to their Caribbean destination.
