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It's the end of summer and once again the Monaco Yacht Show was back in town; a veritable feast of grown-up toys and the hardware that supports them. It certainly isn't the kind of show you go to and pick up a bargain or two; this is hardcore yachting and as serious as it comes. The show featured 500 exhibitors from 37 countries, from as far away as New Zealand and more than 100 top superyachts graced the port of Monaco. Out in the bay were many, many more craft jostling for space right across to Cap Martin. The busy four day exhibition saw a record 28,000 visitors flock through the doors on the first of those days alone. Compared with last year, when the full impact of the recession was only just sinking in, there's now a recognition that the world has changed, maybe for good, but that opportunities are still there for those determined enough to go and seek them out.

 

My own search was for women working in the industry, to find out what draws them to the world of yachting. Women are under-represented on the stands at MYS, perhaps unsurprisingly given the bewildering array of gadgets and gizmos on nearly every stand requiring a high level of geekdom to do them justice; a talent more prevalent among men, I venture to say. My search was rewarded by meeting three women from very different parts of the world but who share a real passion for what they do. My thanks go to: Cristina Fonzar from Viareggio Superyachts in Italy, Linda Berry of Alloy Yachts in New Zealand and Connie McConville of MJM Superyacht Fitout in Northern Ireland. All three bravely agreed to give video interviews at no notice and with no preparation.