UFC Lightweight Champion Conor McGregor spots Sailing Yacht A in Formentera
Stef Bottinelli
UFC Lightweight champion Conor McGregor has spotted Sailing Yacht A whilst on a yacht holiday with friends and family in Formentera
TAGS: Andrey Igorevichsailing yacht ASuperyacht
UFC Lightweight champion Conor McGregor has been on a yacht holiday with friends and family since losing a fight with Floyd Mayweather at the end of August.
The 29-year-old boxer is currently in the Balearic island Formentera, popular with the rich and famous, where he has spotted Sailing Yacht A.
McGregor has documented the sighting on his Instagram page, posting a few pictures of the mega yacht, which really give the idea of the scale of Russian businessman Andrey Melnichenko's vessel.
In one caption the boxing champion wrote: "That was a mad scene. I only posted 'race to the next yacht' two days ago and then this one pulls up right out my back garden. The biggest one of all. This is an eye opening level of opulence to witness first hand. To me, it is truly motivating. I'm starting to think I don't have a wealth belly just yet. I'm more just rich fat now. I must keep eating. I wonder if my lunch is ready. Happy Tuesday".
One of the most highly anticipated launches of 2017 has now been delivered to its owner.
Sailing Yacht A was handed over to Russian businessman Andrey Melnichenko last week in Monaco by the project team led by Dirk Kloosterman.
This came after the sail-assisted superyacht completed final sea trials in the Navantia shipyard in Cartagena, Southern Spain.
Sailing Yacht A was built by Nobiskrug's shipyard at Kiel, Germany, and was delivered by the yard in February.
Sailing Yacht A is one of the world's largest and the most advanced superyachts, with unique features such as underwater observation pod, hybrid diesel-electric propulsion system and state-of-the-art navigation systems.
The vessel's distinctive three masts are some of the tallest and most highly loaded freestanding composite structures in the world.
The superyacht was designed by Frenchman Philippe Starck, who also created Melnichenko's other vessel, Motor Yacht A.
Both vessels were spotted in Monaco at the weekend.
Pictured for the first time side by side
American sail manufacturer, Doyle Sailmakers, has released behind the scene footage revealing for the first time how the sails of Sailing Yacht A were made.
The video follows the project from design to installation.
The three sails were created in 2016 at Doyle Sailmakers in Salem, Massachusetts.
They were then shipped to Nobiskrug's shipyard at Kiel, Germany were they were installed.
Sailing Yacht A has three distinct mast, with the tallest being 91 metres – just slightly smaller than Big Ben in London.
Each mast can sustain 90 knots of wind, and are the most highly loaded freestanding composite structures in the world.
The 148-metre sail-assisted superyacht is undergoing final preparations before being handed over to its owner, Russian businessman Andrey Melnichenko.
Sailing Yacht A is almost complete, around 18 months after it was first sighted undergoing sea trials off the coast of Germany.
The sail-assisted superyacht, which measures almost 143 metres (468-ft) and has a gross tonnage of about 12,600 GT, was spotted in Gibraltar at the weekend ahead of being handed over to its owner.
Russian billionaire Andrey Melnichenko has reportedly spent £360 million on the vessel, which was delivered by the German shipyard, Nobiskrug in February.
Sailing into the sunset. Credit: superyachts_gibraltar/Instagram
The vessel's distinctive three masts are the tallest and most highly loaded freestanding composite structures in the world.
The main mast towers 100 metres above the waterline.
Scaling the mast. Credit: superyachts_gibraltar/Instagram
Sailing Yacht A has been designed by Philippe Starck, who is known for creating unconventional vessels which challenges the expectations of conventional aesthetics.
He is responsible for Melnichenko's previous superyacht, Motor Yacht A, which is currently for sale for $300 million.
Sailing Yacht A is not without its controversy.
Sailing Yacht A is spotted in Gibraltar. Credit: frigate_shtandart/Wikimedia Commons
The ship was impounded by the Gibraltar Port Authority in February over claims by Nobiskrug of a disputed payment in arbitration. It was later released.
Last month, German public prosecutor, Axel Bieler made claims that Nobiskrug shipyard used illegal teak supplied by the Spanish company, Teak Solutions, during the construction of Sailing Yacht A. Nobiskrug deny the allegations
There are claims that one of the world's largest and the most advanced superyachts – Sailing Yacht A – was built using illegal timber from Burma.
German public prosecutor, Axel Bieler has told the news agency, DPA, that Nobiskrug shipyard used wood supplied by the Spanish company, Teak Solutions, during the construction of Sailing Yacht A.
The wood was sold to Teak Solutions by the Burmese Government-owned Myanmar Timber Enterprise (MTE).
Bieler said experts analysed samples of teak used in the construction of Sailing Yacht A, and found that based on the composition and ring structure, the teak had not come from a legal plantation.
Instead, the tropical hardwood is believed to have come from forests in Myanmar, where deforestation is happening at an alarming rate.
There is currently a national ban on exporting raw teak in Burma.
London-based NGO the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) logged a complaint last October, claiming that the teak used was indeed coming from Burma and after a two-month investigation they accused Teak Solutions and eight other European timber suppliers of 'wilful ignorance' with regards to the origins of the wood.
Bieler, who is conducting a criminal investigation, said it was unclear if Nobiskrug knew if the wood was illegal.
In a statement to the German newspaper, Kieler Nachrichten, a spokesman for the shipyard said: "We support the investigations of Kiel's public prosecutor and we are cooperating fully with the authorities. We have a great interest in quickly disproving the allegations, especially since the Federal Agency for Agriculture and Food halted similar investigations in the same case against us last year."
According to the Independent newspaper Teak Solutions CEO Kimble told German magazine Der Spiegel his Burmese imports were legal and met EU regulations. He added that dealing with MTE was the "safest" way to acquire the timber.
Speaking to The Independent, a representative for the owner of Sailing Yacht A said: "We are extremely disappointed that the high profile of Sailing Yacht A is being used by others to raise an issue which has nothing to do with the yacht or the owner. Virtually every superyacht in the world uses Burmese teak. This issue is for the shipyard and supplier of the teak."
Sailing Yacht A has been built for the the Russian billionaire, Andrey Melnichenko.
The sail-assisted superyacht measures almost 143 metres (468-ft) and has a gross tonnage of about 12,600 GT.
Sailing Yacht A left Gibraltar on Wednesday morning, 22 February, after being impounded over claims of unpaid bills.
The superyacht is now on its way to Cartagena to undergo further sea trials after its owner, Russian billionaire Andrey Igorevich Melnichenko, settled the outstanding bill with German shipyard Nobiskrug.
Sailing Yacht A will be delivered to Melnichenko later in the spring.
One of the world's largest sail-assisted superyachts, Sailing Yacht A, has been impounded by the Gibraltar Port Authority over claims of an outstanding bill.
German shipyard, Nobiskrug is claiming that it still hasn't received an outstanding payment of £13.3 million from Valla Yachts Ltd, the company which the yacht is registered to.
Just a few weeks ago, Nobiskrug announced that it had delivered Sailing Yacht A.
Its managing director, Holger Kahl said at the time that the 468-foot vessel was "undoubtedly one of the most visionary projects Nobiskrug has ever been involved in."
Sailing Yacht A was impounded last week while it was on its way to southern Spain where the ship will undergo further sea trials before the internal fit-out continues at another shipyard.
The vessel, which has unique features such as underwater observation pod, hybrid diesel-electric propulsion system and state-of-the-art navigation system, is expected to be handed over to its billionaire Russian owner, Andrey Melnichenko in the late Spring.
Speaking to The Guardian, the Gibraltar Admiralty marshal Liam Yeats, said: "The vessel is under arrest and is currently at anchor in British Gibraltar Territorial Waters."
A spokesman for Melnichenko has described the incident as "a technical problem".
He told the BBC: "We are confident that the yacht will be handed over to the owner's project team in the coming days and this unfortunate episode will be over."
The German ship builder, Nobiskrug, has announced that it has delivered Sailing Yacht A.
Built for the the Russian billionaire, Andrey Melnichenko, the sail-assisted superyacht measures almost 143 metres (468-ft) and has a gross tonnage of about 12,600 GT.
Sailing Yacht A on the water. Credit: Olaf Eggert/Kiel
The mainmast towers 100 metres above the waterline.
He is responsible for Melnichenko's previous superyacht, Motor Yacht A.
Working with the Owners Project Director, Dirk Kloosterman and his dedicated team, Nobiskrug believes Sailing Yacht A will become "one of the greatest PYC superyachts in the world in terms of design and technology"
The distinctive masts of Sailing Yacht A. Credit: Carl Groll
The German yard used a steel hull and steel superstructure with high-tech composite fashion plates that can be formed into any shape or size.
Commenting on the delivery, Nobiskrug's managing director, Holger Kahl said: "Born from the desire of the owner to 'push the boundaries of engineering and challenge the status quo of the industry', "Sailing Yacht A" is undoubtedly one of the most visionary projects Nobiskrug has ever been involved in."
"Thanks to her striking looks and innovative technology, Sailing Yacht A is unquestionably the most anticipated delivery of 2017. She will definitely change the future landscape of the Nobiskrug fleet as well as the future of supersail," he added.
Sailing Yacht A is currently heading to southern Spain where she will undergo further sea trials as the internal fit-out continues at another shipyard.
The handover to Melnichenko is estimated to take place in the late Spring.
Built for the Russian billionaire, Andrey Melnichenko, Sailing Yacht A is expected to be one of the most eagerly anticipated launches of 2017.
The 140-metre vessel has recently undergone further sea trials in Kiel, Germany.
It has been designed by Philippe Starck, who also designed Melnichenko's Superyacht A which is currently on the market for $300 million.
Marine Electronics EU has pulled together some of the fascinating facts about Sailing Yacht A – perfect for impressing your mates down the pub!
The three masts on Sailing Yacht A have been built by Magma Structures at Trafalgar Wharf in Portsmouth.
They are the world's tallest carbon composite masts and were designed by Dykstra Naval Architects in the Netherlands.
Sailing Yacht A may beat many records, but speed isn't one of them.
Inside, Sailing Yacht can luxuriously accommodate up to 20 guests and a crew of 54.
A highlight is the 193-square-foot curved glass observation pod in the vessel's hull.
Sailing Yacht A is reported to be costing $400 million to build, which is more than double the price of the New Titanic and more than the national defence budget of Estonia, Cameroon and Georgia.
It is expected to cost $40 million a year to run
New video of Sailing Yacht A leaving the Nobiskrug yard in Kiel, Germany, reveals the massive 469-foot superyacht is nearing completion.
The sail-assisted motor yacht has been designed by Frenchman Philippe Starck, and is being built for the Russian billionaire Andrey Igorevich Melnichenko.
It will replace the Melnichenko's current vessel, Motor Yacht A, which is currently for sale with a price tag of $300 million.
Sailing Yacht A left the shipyard for sea trials earlier this month, nearly a year after it made its world debut.
The superyacht, which is reported to be costing Melnichenko $450 million, has eight decks and a unique underwater observation pod in the keel with 30cm-thick glass.
The hull is made of steel, and has now been painted grey.
It has a top speed of 21 knots, and is powered by a variable-speed hybrid powerplant with two lineshaft controllable-pitch propellers.
Sailing Yacht A also has three distinct carbon-fibre rotating masts, which were manufactured by Magma Structures at Trafalgar Wharf, Portsmouth.
The sails were made by Doyle Sailmakers USA.
The superyacht is designed to accommodate up to 20 guests and a crew of 54, and is expected to be completed in 2017.
Sailing Yacht A, has made its debut, sailing in a series of sea trials off the coast of Germany.
The 142-metre yacht is being built for 43-year-old Russian billionaire Andrey Igorevich Melnichenko, one of Russia's 10 richest people.
The mogul reportedly spent £292 million on the yacht, which he helped to design. The boat has eight decks and will have a crew of 54.
Dutch firm Dykstra Naval Architects was contracted for the ship design and the massive boat is under construction at German Naval Yards in Kiel, Germany.
One of the yacht's several superlative design features is an enormous 193-square-foot curved glass observation pod in the vessel's hull allowing the billionaire and his guests undersea views.
The boat also boasts three composite carbon fibre masts that are reportedly the largest and most technologically advanced free-standing masts in the world. It can also be powered by two hybrid diesel-electric engines and large electric motors.
Sailing Yacht A is scheduled for delivery in 2016. Melnichenko also owns one of the largest and most expensive motor yachts in the world, Motor Yacht A.