Salle des Étoiles hosted The Honours 2024

Mike Horn was among three high-profile winners of a Bowsprit at the second edition of The Honours, which featured almost 300 nominees and was again organised jointly by The Superyacht Life Foundation and Monaco Yacht Show. Frederic Jousset, owner of the ArtExplorer sailing catamaran and ‘boat museum’, and Yachting Gives Back founder Nick Entwisle were also recipients of a Bowsprit trophy.

For the second year, the elegant evening event was held on the eve of the Monaco Yacht Show, but this time thrived in a new location, with Salle des Étoiles hosting an action-packed programme featuring inspirational documentaries and on-stage discussions with the Honourees.

Among the world’s best-known adventurers, Horn has spent over two decades pushing the limits of exploration, achieving feats like swimming the Amazon, circumnavigating the equator, and trekking from the Arctic Cape to the North Pole.

In 2008, the acclaimed explorer launched Pangaea, a 35m aluminium sailing boat, for a 60,000-mile expedition involving youth in environmental and social projects across destinations like Antarctica, India, and Africa. Horn is also an ambassador for Sunreef Yachts and its environmentally-friendly Eco yachts, with the Polish shipyard refitting Pangaea ahead of his ongoing What’s Left expedition around the world.

Mike Horn, founder of Pangaea X

However, Horn was specifically honoured for his ‘Pangaea X’ initiative, which is focused on educating the next generation on environmental challenges through the Young Explorers Program, a six-month incubation that empowers young innovators to tackle global issues.

“I want young people to explore the world, to experience its wonders up close, and to build a genuine emotional connection to the environment,” Horn said. “Nature can take care of humans if we respect and understand it.”

Jousset, an art philanthropist and founder of Art Explora Foundation, has dedicated himself to democratising access to culture and bringing art to the masses. He combined his passions for art and sailing by creating ArtExplorer, the world’s largest sailing catamaran, which was built at The Italian Sea Group’s facilities in Marina di Carrara and had its world premiere at the 2023 Monaco Yacht Show.

Earlier this year, the floating museum began a two-year Mediterranean voyage with plans to visit over 15 destinations to offer free access to art and artistic experiences. At each stop, a festival village showcases arts, culture and performances.

Frederic Jousset, owner of the ArtExplorer sailing catamaran and art museum

Benefiting from support by the EU, UNESCO and institutions like the Louvre, ArtExplorer has already attracted tens of thousands of visitors, many experiencing art for the first time. Jousset sees ArtExplorer as a movement to expand cultural access beyond traditional museums.

“The genesis of ArtExplorer comes from a very simple idea,” Jousset said. “I think the power of art is such that everyone should be able to experience it. If people don’t turn up to museums, then museums should turn up to them wherever they live. Art just makes us better people!”

Entwisle has spent decades in the superyacht industry and in 2019 created Yachting Gives Back to combat hunger and poverty in Mallorca. The charity quickly attracted support from the yachting community, evolving into a well-organised initiative that donates food, clothing and financial aid to organisations like Mallorca Sense Fam and Associació Tardor.

“Connecting to others is within every yachtie’s heart,” Entwisle said. “I like to think that, through our efforts of garnering support, we’ve been able to build a bridge between two communities: yachting and locals of our island.”

Nick Entwisle onstage at The Honours 2024

The Honours again showcased the transformative influence of the superyachting community, with this year’s laureates selected for their extraordinary achievements and purpose-driven leadership that brings positive change to the industry and wider society.

“The Honours evening stands as a testament to our community’s unwavering commitment to excellence and positive impact,” said Gaëlle Tallarida, Managing Director at Monaco Yacht Show, which was founded in 1991 and is long established as the world’s premier superyacht event.

“It’s a night where we not only celebrate remarkable achievements but also foster dialogue and connections that inspire lasting change. The passion and commitment of our honourees highlight the innovation and philanthropy that define our industry, and it was a privilege to showcase their remarkable stories.”

It was also a thumbs up from The Superyacht Life Foundation, a non-profit, commercially agnostic industry body that champions the positive people, places and projects surrounding the superyacht industry. Together with its 27 partners from various sectors within the industry, the organisation uses its status to educate, inform and engage, by presenting the world of superyachts to new audiences.

Entertainment at The Honours 2024

Dilan Saraç, Executive Director of The Superyacht Life Foundation, said: “The Honours built on the inaugural edition by showcasing examples of how the superyacht community can take a strong leadership role in multiple sectors. The stories we heard during the evening about the work of Nick, Frederic and Mike were truly inspirational and epitomise the reason we created The Honours.

“Thanks to the generosity of spirit they demonstrate, we can ensure that our industry continues to have a positive impact on the world around us. We can inspire other people within the industry and beyond to put their best foot forward and create lasting change that can benefit generations to come.”

The 2024 edition of The Honours was sponsored by Agusta, Feadship, Fred, Jetex, Richard Mille, Sanlorenzo and automotive partner Mercedes-Maybach.

Nominations for the 2025 edition of the Honours will open on December 2, 2024.

thehonours.org

monacoyachtshow.com