We often speak about being a minority in a male dominated industry as being a potential disadvantage but maybe sometimes it can actually be an advantage? For oh I don’t know something typical like stunt boat driving for Cameron Diaz???

In my podcast interview with Sarah Donohue at Southampton Boat Show she told me about the opportunity she had to be a stunt driver for Cameron Diaz because she was the ONLY powerboat racing driver that was female in the UK - so maybe sometimes it can actually work to our advantage to be the fewer in numbers occasionally. Having said that, I suspect she would have achieved it anyway competition or not - she's perfect for the role. Sarah is a dynamic and incredible person with a self-belief and confidence in herself that is admirable and aspirational. Listen to my interview with her as we explore how she got into this incredible space and how much she enjoys not only the racing but being part of making this sport safe and accessible to others all over Europe.

Sarah is a keen marine conservation advocate, commercial diver, freediver, stingray diver, climber and marine biologist in study, she was also nominated as a 'Woman of Achievement' at 'Woman of the Year' in London several years ago. One of her proudest moments.

Her energy exudes into the microphone - I know you will enjoy and be inspired by this one. Enjoy Nicky x

For more info about Sarah or to connect with her you can follow her on Instagram @sarahdonohueofficial or find out more on her website www.sarahdonohue.com

At our marina, Empire Marina Lake Macquarie we are proud sponsors of the Offshore Power Racing at Lake Macquarie, see more about the event HERE

Mike Reischmann - CEO Kenyon Grills

There are some people you meet in business who are clearly building a product… and then there are those who are on a mission.

Mike Reischmann of Kenyon Grills is firmly in the second category.

Sitting down with Mike at IBEX in Florida, you immediately feel it — his enthusiasm is so genuine and so powerful, it’s like he’s saving the world one grill at a time. And in the boating industry, he just might be. With Kenyon Grills cornering over 90% of the market in their space, there’s no doubt he has created an exceptional product that boaters trust.

But what really stood out to me wasn’t just the market share — it was the craftsmanship and innovation behind it. These grills feature unique design elements that Mike has painstakingly developed over the years. Every detail has been considered, refined, and engineered for the marine environment. And understandably, those innovations are carefully protected with patents — when you build something this good, you protect it.

The atmosphere at IBEX made this conversation even more special. There’s an energy at that show — the pulse of the marine industry all in one place — and Mike’s passion fit it perfectly. His energy is truly infectious. You’ll hear it in his voice. You’ll feel it in the way he talks about his team, his customers, and the relentless pursuit of getting it right.

If you’re in the boating space — or simply appreciate entrepreneurs who care deeply about what they create — you’re going to love this conversation.

For more details about Kenyon Grills and their incredible product range, visit https://www.cookwithkenyon.com.

And if you haven’t experienced IBEX yet, make sure you visit https://www.ibexshow.com/ and plan to attend in 2026. It’s an event that brings this entire industry to life.

I hope you enjoy my chat with Mike. If you do, please like and subscribe, and leave us a review so we can continue to champion voices like his and share more stories from leaders shaping our industry.

Let’s dive in.

Nicky x

Welcome to the Cannes Yachting Festival — where the sun hits the water just right, the pontoons are basically catwalks, and you can walk from a 5-metre day boat to a 50-metre statement piece in about three minutes… if you don’t get distracted every six seconds.

Today’s guest is the person who makes this whole floating city run on time: Sylvie Ernoult, Director of the Cannes Yachting Festival — and, frankly, the only person here moving faster than the tenders.

And a quick warning: if you’re listening thinking, “Oh great, an interview at a boat show — relaxed pace, scenic background…” — you’ve never tried to catch Sylvie. Because here’s what happens: you spot her at Vieux Port, you make eye contact, you wave… and by the time you’ve said “Bonjour,” she’s already halfway to Port Canto, apparently teleporting between meetings, pontoons, and VIP drop-ins like she’s running the Monaco Grand Prix — but in flats, with a radio, and 700 boats waiting for her decision.

So we’re thrilled we managed to intercept her and her successor for long enough to put a microphone in front of them – it’s a quick but meaningful chat!

Sylvie has led the festival since 2013 (the show began in 1977 believe it or not), and 2025 marks her final edition as Director before handing over to her successor, Constance Brément . We’re going to talk about what it takes to run Europe’s biggest in-water boat show, why women make such great show organisers and what happens now as she hands over.

Sylvie Ernoult is the longtime director of the Cannes Yachting Festival, appointed show manager in 2013 (then under Reed Exhibitions France, alongside the Fédération des Industries Nautiques). She has described having grown up in Le Havre, with the sea “part of her DNA,” and says she has spent almost her entire career connected to the maritime/yachting world.

Since taking leadership, she has overseen the festival’s growth and the operational reality of running a two-site show across Vieux Port and Port Canto, with the event structured into distinct “worlds”/sectors to manage scale and visitor flow. 2025 is a symbolic “handover” year: Sylvie’s final edition as director before passing leadership to Constance Brément.

A few facts about Cannes Yachting Festival

• The Cannes Yachting Festival was founded in 1977 and has grown into a flagship European boating event.
• It’s widely positioned as Europe’s largest in-water boat show, staged across two ports: Vieux Port and Port Canto.
• The show’s modern identity also reflects its increasing international focus; the official site highlights its scale and “world capital of yachting” feel during show week.

2025 show stats

From official festival information and 2025 reporting, the 2025 edition landed around:

• Nearly 56,000 visitors
• About 710–711 boats on display
• Roughly 677–680 exhibitors
• 147 world premieres (reported as a major jump year-on-year)

https://www.cannesyachtingfestival.com/en-gb.html

Follow us on Instagram @theboatprincess

Sign up for our events and happenings news at

https://www.theboatprincess.com/