sports

World's Most Stylish Superyachts Set Sail for Perini Navi Cup

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches, Yachts & Sailing, Events, Wealth

The Perini Navi Cup, an annual super-luxe regatta in Sardinia dedicated to the world's most stylish sailing superyachts built by the famed Italian boatyard Perini Navi, is gearing up for its biggest year ever with an extra day of racing and help from some big-name sponsors.

Hundreds of millions of dollars worth of yachts, from the megabucks Maltese Falcon to the Lord Foster-designed Panthalassa and founder Fabio Perini's own Elettra are slated to make the scene and compete for the top prize under the auspices of the ultra-exclusive Yacht Club Costa Smeralda.

Set to take place September 1–4 in the waters around Porto Cervo, big ticket sponsors include Rolex, Audi and Champagne Pommery.

Want to compete in the Cup? There are six Perini Navi yachts available for sale via global online luxury marketplace JamesList, ranging from the 131-ft. Clan VI built in 1983 for $7.3 million, to the 184-ft. Salute built in 2008 for $50 million. There are also six Perini beauties for charter on JamesList, from the 110-ft. Heritage M built in 2000 for $95,000 per week to an impressive 164-ft. cruiser built in 2001 for $195,000 per week.

Gallery: The Perini Navi Cup

Tags: Audi, JamesList, Maltese Falcon, Panthalassa, Perini Navi, regatta, Rolex, sailing yachts, Sardinia, sports, yacht charter, yachts

The Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational Golf Tournament: Celebrity, Philanthropy, and the Allure of Shadow Creek

by Susan Kime (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Events, Charity, Sports

The Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational Golf Tournament hosted by Aria Resort And Casino, was recently held at the Shadow Creek Golf Course in North Las Vegas. Luxist attended the event this past weekend and experienced first-hand the unique blend of celebrity and philanthropy. However, this year the event took place at one of the most alluring, mythic, elite golf courses in the U.S., Tom Fazio's Shadow Creek. And for the first time, the course opened to the general public.

A little more on this golf course: unlike many famous courses, this one is hard to imagine, out in the middle of the Nevada desert, and even harder to find. From the Las Vegas strip, it's about a half hour away -- north on I-15 to Craig Road, then go west, then north again, and finally, through some imposing guard gates. And then, there it is, beyond the gates -- the 350-acre, $60 million plus, exceptionally private, painfully green, Tom Fazio course looking more like courses at Pinehurst, or Kiawah, or Augusta. Anywhere, almost, but Nevada.

Shadow Creek boasts quiet streams, rushing brooks, weeping willows, waterfalls, ducks, pheasants, rabbits, and stone bridges that look eerily like the old Swilken bridge at St. Andrews. Indeed, Shadow Creek, has an untouched, impossibly perfect, movie-set look, as if few mortals would ever dare to actually play the course.

For many years, adding to this ineffable allure, is fact: for years, and even now, ONLY MGM Resort guests are permitted to play Shadow Creek. Green fees are listed at $500.00 -- with limo service to and from the course. And the players must schedule tee times at least an hour apart, giving the impression that golfers are on the course by themselves. All of this plays into an image of ultimate elitism combined with escapism, creating a course intrigue that involves rarity, mystery, and sanctuary.

The course's route runs mostly north and south so the sun's glare would miss the golfer's eyes, and Fazio with his builders, dug 50 feet into the low desert to provide for elevation changes and enough dirt to build hills around the entire property to provide another dimension of privacy. One of the stories heard, perhaps apocryphal, was that many who live close to the golf course don't know of its existence.

Tags: celebrity philanthropy, charity, golf, Las Vegas, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Michael Jordan, Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational Golf Tournament, Nevada Cancer Center, Shadow Creek Golf Course, sports

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Piaget Celebrates Polo in Palm Beach

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches, Events, Sports

Renowned Swiss watchmaker Piaget took over Palm Beach and Wellington, Florida recently to celebrate the brand's longtime commitment to the sport of polo.

Among the posh events was a garden party presenting the band's newest collection at the Flagler Museum, and an intimate field-side dinner at the International Polo Club Palm Beach to present the new Pilarà-Piaget polo team.

The festivities concluded with the final match of the Piaget Gold Cup at the Polo Club, attended by American Beauty actress Mena Suvari and followed by an exclusive champagne reception outside the 7th Chukker.

On display for the first time in the U.S. were the latest editions to the Piaget Polo FortyFive collection including two new models in rose gold and titanium, one featuring Piaget's manufactured chronograph movement and the other equipped with Piaget's in-house perpetual calendar movement.

Audi's polo team won the Gold Cup and each of the victorious players got to take home a Piaget
Polo FortyFive watch.

Gallery: Piaget Polo in Palm Beach

Tags: equestrian, events, Flagler Museum, Florida, Mena Suvari, Palm Beach, Piaget, Piaget Polo, polo, sports, watches

The Classicist: VO Guns Debuts the Falcon, World's Most Expensive Rifle, for $820,000 [EXCLUSIVE]

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Sports, Men's Style, The Classicist, Wealth

Swedish gun and rifle maker VO Vapen, founded in 1977 by master gunsmith Viggo Olsson, fashions the world's most exclusive handmade hunting rifles. Their newest creation, the VO Falcon Edition (above), is the world's most expensive priced at about $820,000. The VO Falcon Edition is a tribute to the deep rooted traditions of falconry in the Arabian world, covered by beautiful engravings of Peregrine and Saker falcons among other luxurious finishes.

Tags: bespoke, falconry, guns, gunsmith, hunting, luxury goods, most expensive guns, rifles, shooting, sports, Sweden, UAE, Vo guns, VO Vapen, vo+falcon+rifle, vofalconrifle, worlds most expensive

Continue reading “The Classicist: VO Guns Debuts the Falcon, World's Most Expensive Rifle, for $820,000 [EXCLUSIVE]”

Hockey Star Sean Avery Curates Special Sales for Gilt MAN

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Celebrity Shopping, Sports, Men's Style, Luxury Shopping

New York Rangers hockey star Sean Avery (above left) is one of the rare professional athletes with a real sense of style. His passion for fashion even led him to intern at Vogue while selflessly dating several leggy models.

Now the spiffy sportsman is curating a series of three weekly sales (March 11, 18 and 25) for Gilt MAN, online luxury retailer Gilt Groupe's men's site dedicated to matters sartorial, including a must-read daily guide to men's style.

Avery combed the impressive Gilt MAN inventory with the site's editorial director Tyler Thoreson (above right) to make his sartorial selections. Each "Avery's Rules" sale focuses on a different phase of the life of a style-conscious professional. The first, "At Work," featured A. Testoni shoes, crisp, fitted shirts and razor-sharp suits by Raf Simons, Martin Greenfield, and Calvin Klein Collection.

Taking his style advice may not necessarily get you an NHL contract and a supermodel girlfriend, but it certainly won't hurt your chances.

Tags: athletes, Calvin Klein, Gilt, Gilt Groupe, Gilt MAN, hockey, mens clothing, New York Rangers, Sean Avery, sean+avery+gilt, seanaverygilt, shoes, sports, suits, Tyler Thoreson, Vogue

The Classicist: Thoroughbreds, Bourbon and Private Planes from Flexjet

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining, Luxury Travel & Hotels, Spirits, Wings, Events, Sports, The Classicist

The Classicist: Thoroughbreds, Bourbon and Private Planes from Flexjet

Private jet juggernaut Flexjet is offering an alluring incentive to new fractional owners via a promotion with Kentucky's Keeneland, one of the world's leading thoroughbred racing and auction facilities. The three-day Unbridled experience centers around the 2011 Breeders' Cup World Championships this fall. Known as the thoroughbred industry's most prestigious championship event, the Breeders' Cup attracts fierce competition for the richest prize-money event in the world with over $26 million in purses at stake. There's a lot more to the Unbridled experience, however, as you'd expect considering the cost for a 1/16th fraction (or 50 hours / year) on one of the company's Learjet 40XRs starts at $362,500.

Each owner and their guest will enjoy the Breeders' Cup races in the comfort of a finish-line owner's suite at the iconic Churchill Downs, one of the world's greatest racetracks and home of the Kentucky Derby, as well as an invitation to attend sun-up morning workouts. A one-on-one meeting with a renowned thoroughbred trainer and an insider's look at a famed horse farm are also in the offing. The Unbridled experience is available in limited quantities at no extra charge for Flexjet customers purchasing a new fractional share now through June 12, 2011; the all-inclusive experience takes place November 3 - 6.

Gallery: Flexjet Unbridled Experience

Tags: 21c Museum Hotel, Bombardier, bourbon, Breeders Cup, Buffalo Trace, Churchill Downs, distillery, equestrian, events, Flexjet, fractional ownership, horse breeding, horse farm, horse racing, horses, jets, Keeneland, Kentucky, Kentucky Derby, lear+jet45, Learjet, learjet45, Louisville, luxury travel, Private jet, private plane, spirits, sports, stables, the South, thoroughbred, whiskey

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Dubai and Abu Dhabi Battle for Polo Championship

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Events, Sports, Wealth

Dubai and Abu Dhabi Battle for Polo Championship

The Dubai Falcons and Abu Dhabi Polo will battle it out in the final of the Threadneedle Polo Gold Cup to be played at the Dubai Polo and Equestrian Club today. The UAE's moneyed elite are divided in their support for the two area teams, both strong contenders for the championship with four wins each going into the contest. "We are up against a very strong team in the final and we just hope to continue with our winning streak in this tournament," Dubai Falcons' star player Tommy Iriarte tells the Gulf News. "We have managed to keep a clean slate in this tournament so far," notes undefeated Abu Dhabi Polo captain Fares Al Yabhouni, "so there is nothing like going for an all-out victory and making this a terrific debut participation for us." The Threadneedle Polo Gold Cup is the latest in a series of high-profile equestrian events taking place in Dubai this season.

Gallery: Polo in Dubai

Tags: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Equestrian, horses, polo, sports, UAE, wealth

Fifty Years of Equestrian Champions from the Stables of His Highness the Aga Khan

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Sports, Books, Wealth

Fifty Years of Equestrian Champions from the Stables of His Highness the Aga Khan

A new lavishly illustrated volume by Philip Jodidio from Prestel highlights fifty years of the prestigious horse racing and breeding enterprises of His Highness the Aga Khan, the immensely wealthy Muslim spiritual leader. The urbane Aga Khan, a philanthropist, Harvard graduate and stepson of Hollywood bombshell Rita Hayworth, built his world class thoroughbred empire on a legacy handed down through generations and now oversees one of the largest and most successful racing and breeding operations in Europe. The luxe book traces the history of the Aga Khan Studs including many famous champions through remarkable photographs, engravings and paintings taken from the Aga Khan's archives. Also included is a lengthy interview with His Highness and informative essays on what makes a great racehorse. Check out the gallery for a preview.

Gallery: The Horses of the Aga Khan

A group of mares and foals bred at St Crespin, France

Dalakhani, winner of four Group I races, including the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe

Zarkava, unbeaten winner of five Group I races, descends from Mumtaz Mahal, purchased in 1921 by the Aga Khan III

His Highness the Aga Khan inspecting yearlings at St Crespin in Normandy

A group of mares and foals grazing in a field in Ireland

Tags: Aga Khan, books, coffee table books, equestrian, Harvard, horse racing, horseracing, horses, Islam, Muslim, racehorse, racehorses, Rita Hayworth, royalty, sports, stables, the+aga+khan, theagakhan, thoroughbreds, wealth

RLX Ralph Lauren Launches First iPad App

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Gadgets, Sports, Men's Style

RLX Ralph Lauren Launches First iPad App

Ralph Lauren is launching its first ever iPad app for the brand's high-tech RLX line, utilizing some cool new technology. The RLX Ralph Lauren iPad app allows users to interact with world-class athletes on screen by tilting, rotating, flipping and tapping the iPad to manipulate different movements, colors and environments. There are 12 different "chapters" within the app that showcase the athletes wearing items from the new RLX line; each features an interactive key utilizing the iPad's built-in accelerometer, digital compass, assisted GPS and multi-touch screen capabilities to activate the stylish scenarios.

The application also allows users to shop the entire collection by creating a direct portal to RalphLauren.com. Created to answer the demand for superior high-performance outfitting, RLX for men and women unites the highest standards of luxury, technology and style. From cutting-edge functional gear for professional athletes to exceptionally luxe lifestyle apparel for modern living, RLX "defines the next evolution of design with a philosophy focused on purity of form, unrivaled construction techniques and the world's most innovative fabrications."

Tags: Apple, Apple iPad, apps, athletes, designer, fashion designer, gadgets, iPad, iPad app, Ralph Lauren, RLX, RLX Ralph Lauren, sports, technology

MINT Polo in the Park Returns to London in June

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Events, Sports

MINT Polo in the Park Returns to London in June

On June 3–5 MINT Polo in the Park, a three day celebration of international polo, will return to the grounds of London's famed Hurlingham Club on the banks of the river Thames. Model and polo player Jodie Kidd (above) helped found the event, which also includes posh entertainments such as a Veuve Clicquot Champagne Garden, a Harrods food court, several bars and a luxury shopping area, all with direct views of the polo field. Six teams each representing global cities will play in a new 'Round Robin' format over the three days, culminating with the Final and the presentation of the MINT Trophy on Sunday the 5th. The new "high-octane" format aims to "introduce the adrenaline fueled sport of polo to a new city audience, also making the sport faster and more exciting for TV and event spectators."

Tags: equestrian, Harrods, Hurlingham Club, Jodie Kidd, London, MINT Polo in the Park, polo, sports, UK

Starwood Sponsors First Skating Rink at Boston's Prudential Center

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Sports

Starwood Sponsors First Skating Rink at Boston's Prudential Center

Luxury hotel megabrand Starwood is sponsoring the first-ever ice rink at the Prudential Center in Boston, now open through the end of March. Starwood's Boston properties – Sheraton Boston Hotel, The Westin Copley Place, The Boston Park Plaza Hotel, W Boston, and The Westin Boston Waterfront – dedicated the rink to the Boston community in the hopes that Bostonians will take the time to connect with one another on the ice. "This rink speaks to our commitment to give back to the community that has been home to the Sheraton Boston for more than 45 years," notes Colleen Keating, Sheraton Boston's Marketing Manager. All opening day proceeds went to the Bruins Foundation. In celebration of the occasion, the Sheraton Boston (above) is offering two "Share the Ice" value stay packages:

Tags: Boston, hotel deals, ice skating, sports, Starwood, W hotels, Westin, winter sports

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Tracy Zych "Team Spirit" Handbags

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Handbags

Tracy Zych New York is a handbag brand fueled by the efforts and inspiration of two sisters, Ashley and Tracy, that have been passionate about fashion and handbags since they were kids. They're new "Team Spirit" collection combines that passion with their love of sports with a selection of stylish designs in sporting colors so you can be a fashionista and your team's biggest fan at the same time. Right now the line includes bags designed for Miami, New York, Orlando, and Los Angeles, with new teams being added on a "most passionate fans" basis.

The bag shown here is The Katrina from the Miami collection. It comes in different color combations of red, black, and white and has a bright emerald green lining. $350

Source

Tags: handbag, handbag of the day, sports, tracy zych

Killy, Luxe Ski Wear from a Stylish Olympic Champion

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Sports, Men's Style

Killy, Luxe Ski Wear from a Stylish Olympic Champion

Jean-Claude Killy won all three ski events at the 1968 Winter Olympics, worked as a stuntman in James Bond films, appeared in Rolex ads, raced sports cars and was tapped as one of GQ's 50 most stylish men of the last 50 years. Until now we didn't know that he also has an eponymous line of luxe ski wear. Born in the French Alps, elegance, comfort and performance are the key focuses of the Killy brand. French designers, cutting edge fabrics, sporty laser cuts and color hits adorn what are otherwise very practical weatherproof garments for both men and women. The quality and style of each Killy ski piece is designed to "embody the exacting demands and spirit of Killy, the man himself." Recently merged with the leading French outdoor group Lafuma, which also owns the famed Le Chameau boot brand, look for Killy to make even more of an impression in the future.

Gallery: Killy Ski Wear

Tags: clothing, France, GQ, Jean-Claude Killy, Killy, Le Chameau, Olympics, Rolex, ski, skiing, sports, winter sports

Express Celebrates Men's Style Staple at Super Bowl

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Events, Sports

Express, the stylish clothing brand for the young-and-cool set with a staggering $1.8 billion in annual sales, is celebrating the 10th anniversary of their most popular menswear item with a VIP bash at the Super Bowl. Since it was first introduced in 1991 the brand's 1MX shirt (above) has outfitted millions of men tired of shapeless sacks, upping the style quotient across the country. Offered in a range of 10 staple colors with an additional 10 colors rotated in per season, the highly-engineered 1MX features an calibrated collar, sleeve caps, hand patterned interlining, French seams, and 97% cotton / 3% spandex stretch fabric for a "custom" fit, available in two styles.

As the slimmer shirts are particularly popular with athletic types, the company is hosting an Anniversary event featuring a three-day gifting suite during Super Bowl XLV in Dallas. The exclusive event, taking place February 3rd – 5th at the historic Belmont Hotel, will be hosted by Jacksonville wide receiver Mike Sims-Walker who'll welcome the elite athletes and VIPs in town for the big game. The Express suite will feature an on-site monogramming station for attendees to individualize their personal iconic 1MX shirt as they enjoy signature cocktails and mingle with the crème de la crème of the sports world.

Tags: apparel, athlete, clothing, Dallas, Express, football, mens style, shirt, sports, Super Bowl, Super Bowl XLV

Dunning Sportswear - Ironman Meets Savile Row

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Sports, Men's Style

Dunning Sportswear - Ironman Meets Savile Row

The famed Ironman Triathlon meets Savile Row in Dunning Sportswear, a burgeoning Canadian label making waves up North with its first two Toronto boutiques and plans to conquer the U.S. in the new year. The label's designer Ralph Dunning is a former Ironman competitor and son of a Savile Row tailor who used to design for the likes of Reebok and Saucony. His eponymous label fuses his athletic expertise with traditional menswear and high-tech fabrics, so that athletes don't need to sacrifice style for premium performance. Dunning has partnered with the best mills and facilities to ensure strict quality control; items are made by hand in Canada, not overseas, and everything is designed for year-round versatility and a wide variety of activities. The high caliber of the garments is evident in the softness and durability of the fabrics, attention to detail and perfectly tailored fit.

Their technical fabrics are engineered "from the yarn up", meaning that performance is built-in and won't wash or wear out after repeated use. The brand was founded by Toronto native and lifelong athlete Ralph Dunning, an Ironman competitor who garnered widespread acclaim in the '90s for his Rip 'n Hammer line of premium technical clothing for triathletes and cyclists. Dunning's distinctive designs featuring clean, athletic silhouettes without unnecessary embellishment are field tested and worn by famed athletes such as Craig Alexander (above), two time Ironman World Champion. "The clothes are so clearly created from an athlete's perspective," Alexander notes. "They've got the classic look with built-in performance, as well as some great cotton and wool pieces which are often what I really want after a race or training session."

Gallery: Dunning Sportswear