United States

Cigarette Racing 

The <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Event/218" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Dubai International Boat Show 2024">Dubai International Boat Show</a> (DIBS) is returning to the Dubai Harbour this year on 28 February to 3 March, much to the enjoyment of marine industry experts and enthusiasts worldwide.&nbsp;After having evolved into one of the Middle East’s most renowned boating events, this 30th edition is set to debut the craftsmanship skills of the world’s premier boatbuilders, exhilarating water sports, marine-themed artwork, and 200 boats on display both on land and in water.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/260513/image/large-8a7283f7d2d99bb9e8ea792bb11bc18b.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/260513">We break down everything taking place at the 30th edition of this internationally renowned show, where some of our <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4509" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="SuperYacht Times (Company)">SuperYacht Times</a> team representatives will also be in attendance as media partners of the event.&nbsp;Given its long-standing relationship with boating, ranging from its early beginnings as a fishing port to its current worldwide maritime hub status, Dubai Harbour arguably serves as the perfect setting for the prestigious <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Event/218" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Dubai International Boat Show 2024">Dubai International Boat Show</a>.&nbsp;Additionally, its Shamal-owned, 120,000-square-metre cruise facility, as well as its two terminals on a 910-metre long quay ensure Dubai’s unique capacity for hosting such a large and varied event.&nbsp;<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/260515/image/large-6aac2a26376d23359d610e39eee5c84a.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/260515">As the United Arab Emirates’ most elaborate international boat show, DIBS will host over 1,000 brands and over 200 boats from esteemed shipyards such as <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/354" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sunseeker (Company)">Sunseeker Gulf</a>, Finnmaster, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/64" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Oceanco (Company)">Oceanco</a>, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4019" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Althaus Yachts (Company)">Althaus Yachts</a>, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/358" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Azimut Yachts (Company)">Azimut</a>, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/955" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Gulf Craft (Company)">Gulf Craft</a>, HP Watermakers and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1158" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sunreef Yachts (Company)">Sunreef Yachts</a>.&nbsp;Exhibitors are travelling far and wide from over 55 countries, including the following four debut nations: Finland, Sweden, the Republic of Korea, and Austria.Yacht launches and world premieres&nbsp;A total of 46 boat launches are set to take place in this year’s rendition of the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Event/218" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Dubai International Boat Show 2024">DIBS</a>, organised by the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5344" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Dubai World Trade Centre (Company)">Dubai World Trade Centre</a> (DWTC).&nbsp;Three of those global launches will be executed by IMG Boats, while Riviera Boats and Al Fajer will also launch two yachts each. Additionally, companies including <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/64" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Oceanco (Company)">Ferretti</a>, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4203" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Williams Performance Tenders (Company)">Williams Tender</a>, and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4487" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="SF Yachts (Company)">SF Yachts</a> are set to make regional launches. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/263996/image/large-5f2d39ad6ffca3767f88007452e62f49.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/263996">This year, an additional 400 new companies are participating in the annual gathering, which promises to showcase a Sea-Doo Jet Ski, and present <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6349" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Cigarette Racing (Company)">Cigarette Racing Team</a> as they launch a new American racing yacht from the USA.Emphasis on sustainability&nbsp;This diverse and multicultural event is not just restricted to yachts, however, as other activities include adrenalising demonstrations of water sports, networking events for captains, a marine-inspired art gallery, a VIP lounge, and displays for the best local businesses. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/260516/image/large-c027e70c598eed031d7d0f45d0a31ab4.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/260516">Furthermore, over 100 industry experts will be present at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Event/218" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Dubai International Boat Show 2024">DIBS</a> to discuss all things related to innovation, sustainability, and their future predictions for the industry.&nbsp;This year’s edition of the world-renowned show promises to place special emphasis on environmentally conscious maritime missions, with its remodelled conference programme shedding light on sustainability efforts both global and regional, such as that of the recent Dubai Reef project.

Everything to know about DIBS 2024

We break down everything taking place at the 30th edition of this internationally renowned event, The Dubai International Boat Show (DIBS). 

Everything you need to know about DIBS 2024

<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6349" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Cigarette Racing (Company)">Cigarette Racing</a>, a luxury performance powerboat company based in Miami, Florida, has been purchased by Lionheart Capital in partnership with billionaire entrepreneur, John H. Ruiz.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/196681/image/large-b2c79d11072b6f89c425be82ce3427c9.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/196681">The company was purchased from <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6349" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Cigarette Racing (Company)">Cigarette</a>’s longtime owner, Skip Braver, who remains optimistic about the future direction of the company. He comments, “After 20 years of building the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6349" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Cigarette Racing (Company)">Cigarette</a> product line and brand, I look forward to seeing Ophir and John’s vision for the company become a reality. Lionheart Capital and John H. Ruiz share my commitment to quality and performance, as well as my passion for <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6349" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Cigarette Racing (Company)">Cigarette</a>'s brand, and I'm confident in their ability to take the company to even greater heights based on their own successful ventures, resources and business knowledge.”<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6349" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Cigarette Racing (Company)">Cigarette Racing</a>’s new ownership, consisting of Ophir Sternberg of Lionheart Capital and John H. Ruiz, has a broad vision for the company’s future ventures, which include incorporating state-of-the-art technological advancements. Sternberg explains, “I am thrilled about our acquisition of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6349" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Cigarette Racing (Company)">Cigarette Racing</a> and believe that <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6349" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Cigarette Racing (Company)">Cigarette Racing</a>’s brand is daring, defiant and pushes barriers. With that, my partner John H. Ruiz and I, look forward to taking the company into its next chapter where we build upon the legacy of the brand and create significant value in the future through powerful partnerships and unique collaborations, production amplification and increased distribution channels.”The purchase of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6349" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Cigarette Racing (Company)">Cigarette Racing</a> is especially personal to Ruiz: “Having been an avid fan for decades, I personally own numerous <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6349" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Cigarette Racing (Company)">Cigarette</a> hand-crafted powerboats and believe that the brand is on the verge of a new wave of acceleration. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6349" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Cigarette Racing (Company)">Cigarette Racing</a> is such an iconic American name in the world of boating, that it is truly an honor to be a part of the continuation of its legacy that’s been going strong for over 50 years and I look forward to taking it into unchartered waters.”<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6349" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Cigarette Racing (Company)">Cigarette Racing</a> has been in operation for more than 50 years and has collaborated with superyacht designers such as <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4478" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Giorgio M. Cassetta (Company)">Giorgio M. Cassetta</a>.

Cigarette Racing under new ownership

Cigarette Racing, a luxury powerboat company, has been purchased by Ophir Sternberg of Lionheart Capital and billionaire John H. Ruiz.