Supercars

Having been an avid winter sports enthusiast since I was old enough to stand upright without assistance, Austria has long been on my radar during the colder months. And there’s no better destination in the country than Kitzbuhel, the Alpine enclave renowned for hosting the Hahnenkamm.

McLaren launched the new 570S Coupe in the Algarve last week at the Conrad Hotel and the race track at Portimao. It was quite a sight to see so many McLaren 570s’ all lined up outside the Conrad hotel, flanked by flames floating in the elongated water pools, and outside the race track in every available colour. Not quite as good as driving them, but we’ll get to that.
 

Resort: St. Anton (Austria) At an elevation of 1,300m., St. Anton is a small town with a year round population of 2,500 people; it is just over an hour to Innsbruck Airport.  It is at the centre of the Arlberg Ski-Circus and is certainly one of Europe’s top ski resorts, drawing keen skiers from all over the world.  It offers some of Austria’s most extensive and most challenging skiing.

Resort: Lech (Austria) is very much its own character; the word ‘genteel’ fits well.  This small village provides a great diversity of slopes for all grades of skier and boarder, but with more focus to the beginner and intermediate skier.  Lech makes up a part of one of the world's best ski domains, providing good connections into the neighbouring mini-resort of Zürs and the world class St Anton.  Experts will head for off-piste skiing, heli-skiing and the challenges at the neighbouring St.

Resort: Obergurgl (Austria).  Most of the ski resorts in Austria are relatively low in elevation but the small resort of Obergurgl is relatively high at 1,930m, with only 500 year-round inhabitants.  It is the highest parish in the country and it shares its skiing area with Hochgurgl another 200m. higher, they are two of the most snow-sure resorts in Europe as it includes glacier skiing.  The villages are known as the ‘Diamonds of The Alps’ perhaps their well-preserved architecture is a contribution to that title.
 

The Resort: Zermatt (Switzerland).  This world class summer and winter resort has so much tradition and heritage as well as a magnificent very near neighbour; the spectacular Matterhorn Mountain which overlooks the entire region.  Everything is here with a combination of a great selection of restaurants, bars, coffee shops and other interesting diversions, plus shops and boutiques which offer high fashion alongside jewellery and endless brands of watches.  In contrast, there are many ancient farm buildings tucked away where livestock still live during the winter months.  The heliport provid

The Resort:  Courchevel 1850 (France).  Their own small, challenging airport has 6,000 private aeroplane movements each ski season which says it all.  These guests come for the cluster of very individual, small 5* hotels and the new breed of mega-chalets, gourmet restaurants galore, night clubs and boutiques selling the world’s most desirable, as well as the most exclusive jewellers such as Moussaieff.  However, there is another side of the resort where guests are not so challenged in price terms whilst they can enjoy the best facilities with endless skiing opportunities on a family skiing

International eXcellence Magazine interviewed Sam Matson, an Artemis Offshore Academy Alumni, who is making waves in the sailing community with his talent.
Age: 24
Hometown: Ottery St Mary, Exmouth
Boat name: Chatham
Title sponsor: Chatham
Number of Solitaire du Figaros: 2
(15th overall, 2nd Rookie 2014/13th overall 2015)
How did you first get into sailing and where?

IX Magazine interviewed the impressive Rob Bunce, a 2015 Artemis Offshore Academy Rookie, after sailing with him for the day in The Solitaire Du Figaro.
Age: 21
Hometown: Warminster, Wiltshire
Boat name: Artemis 37
Title sponsor: Artemis Offshore Academy
Number of Solitaire du Figaros: 1
(35th overall, 10th Rookie, 2015)
How did you first get into sailing and where?

The Maldives has always enjoyed the reputation of being home to the most beautiful dream islands in the world and one of the top diving destinations for any underwater enthusiast. IX Magazine decided to fly out with Etihad Airways to Male, and the local seaplane company Trans Maldivian Airways to Kuredu and spend a couple of weeks exploring this hypnagogic destination.