Laura Shaughnessy is the former managing editor at Dockwalk.
From June 20-23, about 100 crew across 11 attending yachts came together in Newport, Rhode Island, to show off their many skills, which were highlighted during the five crew competitions at the Newport Charter Yacht Show, presented by Helly Hansen Newport.
Everyone eased into things on Monday — yachts moved into Safe Harbor Newport Shipyard, which hosted the venue all week (and sponsored the free Wi-Fi). Later on, they all got together for the Captain & Crew Happy Hour, sponsored by Sea Hawk Paints and Alexseal Yacht Coatings with Bridge Liquors sponsoring the bar.
On Tuesday, crew really brought their A-game to both the Chef Competition from 1-3 p.m. and the Captain & Deck Challenge from 5:30-7:30 p.m., sponsored by Dockwalk and Aeré Marine Group.
At the Chef Competition, which was sponsored by Shoreside Support, seven talented yacht chefs presented their entrees, which had a “Luxurious Comfort” theme. Each chef showcased their skills by preparing two versions of the same entry — one for an adult palate and one for a child’s — while incorporating a special dietary requirement before presenting it to the three judges. Ingredients were provided by Shoreside Support, a global megayacht provisioner; their Mystery Basket had a “cheeky theme” with its ingredients that included beef cheeks and halibut cheeks, as well as local trimmings like razor clams, apple blossoms, and rhubarb.
Though the tent was filled with beautiful plated meals and delicious aromas, in the end, the first-place winner was Chef Alex Flannery of M/Y TCB with his Taco Tuesday entry. Chef Steph Sykora of M/Y Freedom took second place with her Southern Low Country take on fish and grits, and Chef Brittany Garcia of M/Y QTR took third place with her Bolivian Tamales (for the adults) and Alfredo Tacos (for the kids), which she made as a tribute to her ethnicity.
When the Captain & Deck Challenge took place later that evening, everyone ranging from deckhand to captain across seven yachts went all out during the three phases of the competition. During the fender-inflation contest, which was MC-ed by Mike Yorston of Aeré Marine Group, three crewmembers of the same yacht competed to see who could inflate it first. The catch? It had to be tied at the end and cinched nicely with “no wrinkles, no wrinkles, no wrinkles.” The crew of Nadan wowed everyone and took first place.
QTR took first place in the yoga competiton thanks to their amazing balance and flexibility skills that beat everyone else out — case in point being when Deck/Stew Charlie Rose bounced off the stage but hopped back on without losing the pose, keeping her team in first place.
And in the final installment, the crew of TCB took first place for the floral arrangement competition; each team had five minutes to assemble flowers from four buckets in the most eye-pleasing way. Overall though, it was the crew of Lady S who won the night’s festivities.
On Wednesday, crew wowed all from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. when they participated in the tablescaping and cocktail competitions, as well as the Yacht Hop, which had a Gilded Age theme.
Lady S nailed the Tablescaping Competition and took first place amid the seven participating yachts. Capt. Shaun, Chief Stewardess Renet, and Second Stewardess Joana wowed the judges with their Understated Elegance theme. However, the fan favorite (as voted on by the brokers and show attendees) was the crew of Nadan — Chief Stewardess Harriet and Second Stewardess Chloe created their Gilded Age Gatsby theme.
For the Signature Cocktail Competition, 10 yachts competed in the Goslings Rum-sponsored event. Earning third place was M/Y Slip Away with Chef Ryan and Stewardess Mae’s Wally Special from Wally’s Restaurant in Marsh Harbour in Abaco, The Bahamas, which is affiliated with the yacht. Taking second place was Nadan’s Old England Ice Tea creation, made by Chief Stew Harriet and Second Stew Chloe. The well-earned first place winner was Chef Ranada and First Mate Devon of M/Y Lexington, who prepared a delicious Tropical Sunset cocktail.
To close the busy day off, showgoers were able to attend the Yacht Hop at 7:30 p.m. and were rewarded with cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, music, costumes, and a photobooth on various yachts. The overall winner was TCB, which went with a Roaring Good Time/Gatsby theme; however, the fan favorite was Nadan, who went with the recommended Gilded Age theme.
On Thursday, after the horns sounded at 5 p.m., all 100 captains and crew gathered for the highly anticipated Crew Party & Awards segment of the show — sponsored by Denison Yachting & Ward’s Marine Electric— where several coveted prizes were given out to the various hard-working and talented crew who gave 200 percent to put on a great charter yacht show. Even the weather went above and beyond — despite the rainy forecast for most of the show, it was gorgeous and sunny throughout the show.
In addition to the many wonderful sponsors, a special thanks goes to Newport Charter Yacht Show Director Veronica Brown who put together a beautiful show in New England’s City-By-the-Sea location with a very crew-centric atmosphere. Here’s to next year’s much-anticipated soirées; hope to see you then!