At half time of the trade fair, boot Düsseldorf 2023 is right on course. Until Wednesday, 25 January, more than 115,000 fans visited the world’s biggest water sports trade fair. “We are particularly delighted with the large range of international guests. So far, water sports enthusiasts and experts from 93 nations have found their way to Düsseldorf. There’s a wonderful atmosphere in the halls,” rejoices boot Director Petros Michelidakis. 1,500 manufacturers of boats, boards, diving accessories as well as travel destinations and associations are “on board” in Düsseldorf.

However, boot is not only the most relevant industry meeting of the year but also brings together the entire water sports community. Its line-up of side events shines with accompanying events as a big family get-together and indispensable exchange for personal conversations and live encounters. These traditionally also include the glamorous blue motion night. On the evening of Monday 23 Hall 6 was host to the “ocean tribute” Award won by Innovation Yachts. The Innovation Yachts shipyard has engineered and manufactured the world’s first completely recyclable and sustainable catamaran from composite materials for series production. The IY LBV35 is the first model in a new series of sustainable and completely recyclable boats and is electrically propelled by solar energy and a hydrogenator. As a special feature this multi hull is equipped with a “sea-cleaning system” meaning it can lower its trampoline while sailing to collect marine litter. With this Award the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, boot Düsseldorf and the German Ocean Foundation support people, institutions, associations, research institutes and projects in their commitment to marine protection. The Award comes with prize money worth € 20,000 and has been presented every year at boot Düsseldorf since 2018.