STARS ON 45

Italy has been hard hit by the Covid-19 epidemic, including its world-leading marine industry. However, Italy’s largest boat manufacturer, familyrun company Azimut Benetti Group, which employs thousands of people in four different shipyards, put in place protocols which kept some plants open. They are now back in full production.

While the first Azimut Atlantis 45 to reach New Zealand, meant to make its southern hemisphere debut at the now cancelled Sanctuary Cove Boat Show in May, was completed and shipped before Italy shut up shop, it arrived on these shores just as New Zealand went into Level 4 lockdown.

New Zealand Azimut agents Pinnacle Marine were given special dispensation to collect this vessel off the ship and drive it to a temporary Westhaven berth, from which Boating NZ took the opportunity to review the new, highly optioned Azimut as soon as restrictions were lifted.

Although the model was only released in September