Palladium, the 96 metre that Michael Leach Design designed for Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov (owner of NBA outfit the Brooklyn Nets), doesn't have its own basketball court. Instead Palladium features a garage big enough to carry a personal watercraft for every person on board. Not only this, but the huge foredeck has the potential to become a space for whole-team sports matches. “Some owners want to just get away from their business,” said Michael Smith, director at Michael Leach Design. "However, others want to have the possibility of a 4G Astro pitch laid on the deck for their team.”
The superyachts with the best sports amenities
There are some owners who like to stay especially active on board, even bringing their favourite sporting equipment along with them. These are the high-scorers for yachts with the best sports facilities...
Palladium
Kismet
Football club owner Shahid Khan's 95 metre Lürssen Kismet was delivered in 2014. On match days, a four-metre silver statue of a jaguar, its paw resting on a football helmet, graces the bow. Elsewhere, its sizeable foredeck has enough space for Khan's beloved football team, the Jacksonville Jaguars, to stage a practice.
Aviva
It's not every day that a yacht's brief is centred around sports, and especially tennis. But on 98.4 metre Aviva this was a goal from the outset. “Build a big yacht around a padel tennis court was the main brief, I guess,” says the yard’s project manager Andreas Hering, with admirable understatement. “In three years.” This sports court is at the centre of Aviva, literally and figuratively. The hybrid squash/tennis court is part of the owner's daily routine, who had before limited his travels to places where there was a court onshore. Now he can take his workout of choice everywhere he goes.
Joy
The 70 metre Feadship superyacht Joy features a deck that's wide enough to enjoy a tandem jog around. This yacht is all about exterior living, which includes making use of these ample decks with some great sporting facilities. A basketball and badminton court is set all the way forward on the owner's deck. This is complemented by her large gym and dedicated spa. All of this adds up to make Joy an ideal choice for those interested in a yacht with ample fitness, wellness and sporting amenities.
Triple Seven
Nobiskrug's 67 metre Triple Seven was custom built in Germany in 2006 and designed inside and out by Newcruise. The superyacht includes many stand out onboard features, not least a giant inflatable diving platform which can be erected at its stern.
Galactica Super Nova
When inclement weather or a quayside location doesn't allow for a swim in the sea, then it's great to have a yacht with a lap pool. Heesen Yachts’ 70 metre flagship superyacht Galactica Super Nova has an infinity pool with a grand waterfall that is not only pretty to look at, but is sporting good fun. The jet stream pool provides a counter-current for those who want to swim laps, so the swimmers on board can stay in shape no matter what.