27 Oktober 2014

Wotsit all about? Bearded wonders gather for the world facial hair championships in Portland

  • World beard and moustache championship took place at the Keller Auditorium in Portland, Oregon
  • The event was made up of 17 categories, including 'full natural beard' and 'freestyle full beard'
  • Almost 300 contestants took part from nine countries and the overall winner was local Madison Rowley
Having spent the last few months and even years perfecting and fine-tuning their facial hair, these men finally had the chance to show off their eye-catching efforts.
The eccentric selection - including musketeer moustaches and a Wotsit beard - were on display at the world beard and moustache championships in Portland, Oregon.
The event comprised 17 categories, including full natural beard, freestyle full beard and the 'garibaldi', a broad, full and round beard no longer than 20 centimetres.
James Lewis poses with his Cheetos beard at the Championships held in the Keller Auditorium, in Portland 
James Lewis poses with his Wotsit beard at the Championships held in the Keller Auditorium, in Portland
Overall winner Madison Rowley, from Portland, shows off his fuzzy bush to the crowds at the world championship on Saturday
Overall winner Madison Rowley, from Portland, shows off his fuzzy bush to the crowds at the world championship on Saturday
Veteran contestant Mike Johnson narrowly lost out for the top prize - here he sports his extraordinary facial hair in the freestyle section
Veteran contestant Mike Johnson narrowly lost out for the top prize - here he sports his extraordinary facial hair in the freestyle section
Christopher Grey poses with his perfectly formed octopus beard at the Keller Auditorium in Portland
Christopher Grey poses with his perfectly formed octopus beard at the Keller Auditorium in Portland
A man dressed in a jazzy waistcoat shows off his Hungarian style moustache at the World Championships 
A man dressed in a jazzy waistcoat shows off his Hungarian style moustache at the World Championships 
Competitor Al Underwood plays up to the audience with his musketeer style facial hair at the Championships yesterday
Competitor Al Underwood plays up to the audience with his musketeer style facial hair at the Championships yesterday
Nate Johnson with his partitioned beard at the event which attracted around 300 competitors 
Nate Johnson with his partitioned beard at the event which attracted around 300 competitors 
A man shows off his wispy, curved moustache and fuzzy white hair, complete with a waistcoat and tie combination
A man shows off his wispy, curved moustache and fuzzy white hair, complete with a waistcoat and tie combination
Almost 300 contestants sporting bushy, fuzzy or delicately wispy hair took part in the competition from across nine countries. 
They all took to the stage in an Olympic-style procession, waving flags before the cheering throngs of spectators to determine which had the best facial hair.
The bearded entrants were judged by five people, which included Miss Oregon 2014 Rebecca Anderson and the author of 'One Thousand Beards' Allan Peterkin.
The competitors were assessed at the Keller Auditorium yesterday on how their facial hair 'enhanced their overall appearance, style and personality'. 
A man in a top hat shows off his well-perfected facial hair at the competition which celebrates unconventional looks 
A man in a top hat shows off his well-perfected facial hair at the competition which celebrates unconventional looks 
A man displays his Dali style moustache - some contestants have spent years perfecting their appearances
A man displays his Dali style moustache - some contestants have spent years perfecting their appearances
Hurvey Haskins gazes into the crowds during the garibaldi beard category at the world beard and moustache championships
Hurvey Haskins gazes into the crowds during the garibaldi beard category at the world beard and moustache championships
Daniel Lawlor with his Dali style moustache - the facial hair is judged on by how they match the personality and looks of a competitor 
Daniel Lawlor with his Dali style moustache - the facial hair is judged on by how they match the personality and looks of a competitor 
A man with a camera and top hat sports his fuzzy facial hair which attracted contestants from all over the world 
A man with a camera and top hat sports his fuzzy facial hair which attracted contestants from all over the world 

Local Madison Rowley, winner of the garibaldi section, narrowly defeated veteran competitor Mike Johnson for the overall gold with a spectacular bushy beard.   
He will enjoy an all-expenses paid trip to Leogang, Austria, for the 2015 World Championships

03 Oktober 2014

An indoor pool, an aquarium and an indoor 'drive-in garage' for its own speedboat: On board a 196ft mega yacht

  • J'ade, designed by Italian company CRN, can store an eight-metre speedboat in its floating indoor garage
  • Hydraulic-powered hatch fills with 18,000 litres of water and can also be used as an indoor ocean pool  
  • The luxury vessel was nominated for Best Interior at 2014 Monaco Yacht Show
  • 196-foot vessel also features a gym, hammam room, and aquarium, and can sleep ten guests in four cabins

In the battle to be the most extravagant mega yacht on the seas, it takes a lot to really impress.
While helipads, waterslides, and movie theatres are commonplace additions to the yachts of the super wealthy, a stylish Italian vessel is making waves for being the first to feature a floating drive-in garage.
J'ade, by Ferretti group company CRN, features a hydraulic-operated hatch which can store an eight-metre speedboat without the use of a tender lift to hoist it out of the water.

Innovative: The 196-foot yacht has a hydraulic-operated hatch which can store an eight-metre speedboat without the use of a tender lift to hoist it out of the water
Innovative: The 196-foot yacht has a hydraulic-operated hatch which can store an eight-metre speedboat without the use of a tender lift to hoist it out of the water
Floating fortress: While swimming pools and helipads are commonplace on many a mega yacht, J'ade features the world's first floating garage
Floating fortress: While swimming pools and helipads are commonplace on many a mega yacht, J'ade features the world's first floating garage
Glide in: The internal basin floods and empties 18,000 litres of water in just three minutes, allowing the boat to enter the yacht without the use of a crane
Glide in: The internal basin floods and empties 18,000 litres of water in just three minutes, allowing the boat to enter the yacht without the use of a crane
The internal basin, which holds 18,000 litres of water, floods and empties in just three minutes, enabling the boat (a 27ft Riva Iseo) to enter the yacht without using a crane.
When the speedboat is not being stored inside, the basin can also be utilised as an indoor ocean pool, accessible from the lower-deck terrace.
 
Completed last year, the 60-metre yacht was the star attraction at last week's Monaco Yacht Show, where it was a finalist for the Best Interior award, only to miss out on the prize to the brand-new Perini Navi motor yacht Grace E.
J'ade made its debut at the annual yacht show last year, and also won the World Yacht Trophy at the 2013 International Boat Show.
Honey, I'm home: The one-of-a-kind  garage enables the owner to access the yacht from their speed boat internally, via the vessel's plush lower deck
Honey, I'm home: The one-of-a-kind garage enables the owner to access the yacht from their speed boat internally, via the vessel's plush lower deck
Multi-purpose: When the speedboat is not being stored, the basin can also be used as an internal ocean pool, located just behind this luxury terrace
Multi-purpose: When the speedboat is not being stored, the basin can also be used as an internal ocean pool, located just behind this luxury terrace
Beauty: The vessel won the World Yacht Trophy at the 2013 International Boat Show and was nominated for Best Interior at the 2014 Monaco Yacht Show
Beauty: The vessel won the World Yacht Trophy at the 2013 International Boat Show and was nominated for Best Interior at the 2014 Monaco Yacht Show

The privately-owned yacht was created by Studio Zuccon International Project, and is designed to feel 'at one with the sea'.
The 196-foot vessel can comfortable accommodate 10 guests in four cabins and the owner suite, and 13 crew members. Aside from the impressive 'garage', J'ade also features a gymnasium, hammam room and aquarium.
Across the four decks, materials for the interiors are Canaletto walnut and polished rosewood. The hardwood floors are made of wide Afromosia strips and the cabins and owner suite are fitted with white Tai Ping carpets. There are jade green accents throughout the interior.
A life of luxury: Guests on board the J'Ade can also soak up the sun on one of the vessel's comfy lounging areas, located across all four of the  decks
A life of luxury: Guests on board the J'Ade can also soak up the sun on one of the vessel's comfy lounging areas, located across all four of the decks
Pool on board: If a swim in the ocean becomes a bit daunting for those on board, guests can take a dip in this on-deck plunge pool
Pool on board: If a swim in the ocean becomes a bit daunting for those on board, guests can take a dip in this on-deck plunge pool
Spa: The mega yacht also features a gymnasium and mosaic-tiled hammam room (pictured), where guests can sit back and unwind after a day at sea
Spa: The mega yacht also features a gymnasium and mosaic-tiled hammam room (pictured), where guests can sit back and unwind after a day at sea
No expense spared: The privately-owned yacht was designed for the owner's specific tastes, and includes a round bath in the boat's marble master suite
No expense spared: The privately-owned yacht was designed for the owner's specific tastes, and includes a round bath in the boat's marble master suite
Made for entertaining: Guests on board the vessel, created by Studio Zuccon International Project, can be sure of a place to sit at several indoor and outdoor living areas
Made for entertaining: Guests on board the vessel, created by Studio Zuccon International Project, can be sure of a place to sit at several indoor and outdoor living areas

The centrepiece of the yacht is the central stairwell with a crystal lift. A white Yamaha piano sits in the living area.
‘CRN is experimenting,’ Luca Boldrini, CRN’s sales director told Boat International. 
‘We’re experimenting in design, in sizes, and in features. Each of the yachts in build has special features in development, and we hope the next step will be to mix and match all these new features in one or two new concepts so future owners can not only have a beautiful, seaworthy and safe vessel, but they can have special features that nobody else has. 
'These will not be special features that are just an experiment, but features clients can touch and feel in other vessels under construction or already floating.’
'At one with the sea': Oversized windows were purpose-built to take advantage of the sea views, and anyone lucky enough to stay in this cabin can also enjoy a balcony terrace, giving them an even better panorama across the ocean
'At one with the sea': Oversized windows were purpose-built to take advantage of the sea views, and anyone lucky enough to stay in this cabin can also enjoy a balcony terrace, giving them an even better panorama across the ocean
Musical tastes: Got musical guests on board? They can tinkle the ivories on this stunning white Yamaha piano, which takes pride of place in the living area
Musical tastes: Got musical guests on board? They can tinkle the ivories on this stunning white Yamaha piano, which takes pride of place in the living area
All at sea: The well-appointed living area combines elegant sofas with driftwood coffee tables and shell-inspired sculptures and bowls to give the room a nautical flavour
All at sea: The well-appointed living area combines elegant sofas with driftwood coffee tables and shell-inspired sculptures and bowls to give the room a nautical flavour
Anyone for dinner? The formal dining table comfortably seats 12 guests, while after dinner guests can relax with a digestif on the adjacent seating area
Anyone for dinner? The formal dining table comfortably seats 12 guests, while after dinner guests can relax with a digestif on the adjacent seating area
Informal: When the dining table is a bit too formal, breakfast and lunch can be taken on the terrace, with this round table comfortably seating nine people
Informal: When the dining table is a bit too formal, breakfast and lunch can be taken on the terrace, with this round table comfortably seating nine people
Guest quarters: The vessel can accommodate 10 guests split across four cabins, plus the owner suite, as well as 13 crew members to cater to those on board
Guest quarters: The vessel can accommodate 10 guests split across four cabins, plus the owner suite, as well as 13 crew members to cater to those on board

26 September 2014

£140m Cristiano Ronaldo!

  • Manchester United will have to pay £60m fee plus wages of £20m a year to lure Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid
  • The 29-year-old was hawked around Europe’s top clubs that summer before eventually signing a new five-year deal at the Bernabeu
  • Despite Ronaldo’s success at Real, sources in Spain point to the Portugal forward not feeling loved
The true cost of trying to lure Cristiano Ronaldo back to the Premier League can be revealed to be more than £140million after it emerged that the former Manchester United star’s advisors have been asking for astonishing wages of £20m a year.
Ronaldo is understood to be willing to listen to offers after becoming unsettled at Real Madrid and new United manager Louis van Gaal did not rule out a move for the World Player of the Year last weekend. 
Cristiano Ronaldo scored another hat-trick for Real Madrid this week to take his goal tally to 264
Cristiano Ronaldo scored another hat-trick for Real Madrid this week to take his goal tally to 264

However, any club wishing to buy Ronaldo would have to come up with mind-boggling sums after it emerged that the player’s representatives set the bar at £385,000 a week when they put feelers out regarding their client 18 months ago. 
At that time United were interested in a move for their former golden child as the club’s owners the Glazer family looked to add the ultimate signing to the squad David Moyes had inherited from Sir Alex Ferguson.
Ronaldo was hawked around Europe’s top clubs that summer before eventually signing a new five-year deal at the Bernabeu.

Ronaldo was hawked around Europe’s top clubs that summer before eventually signing a new five-year deal
Ronaldo was hawked around Europe’s top clubs that summer before eventually signing a new five-year deal
Ronaldo is understood to be willing to listen to offers after becoming unsettled at Real Madrid
Ronaldo is understood to be willing to listen to offers after becoming unsettled at Real Madrid

‘It simply wasn’t worth having the conversation at those numbers,’ said one top Premier League source on Thursday night.
Despite Ronaldo’s success at Real — he now has 264 goals for them — he is expected to look to leave once again next summer.
Sources in Spain point to Ronaldo not feeling loved and indicate he may be president Florentino Perez’s one high-profile departure of 2015. 

Manchester United were interested in signing Ronaldo last summer but he opted to stay in Spain
Manchester United were interested in signing Ronaldo last summer but he opted to stay in Spain
A group of United fans plan to fly a 'come home Ronaldo' banner over Real Madrid's next game
A group of United fans plan to fly a 'come home Ronaldo' banner over Real Madrid's next game
By then Ronaldo will be past his 30th birthday and there are serious questions as to whether United — or anyone in England — could find the money to sign him, even if his wage demands were to drop slightly. 
With Perez sure to want around £60m for someone who continues to produce world-class displays, even a four-year deal for Ronaldo would take the total investment to over £140m — for a player heading towards his 35th birthday by the time that contract ran out.
Last month United did decide to go the extra mile to sign another Real Madrid player, Angel di Maria, in a transfer worth more than £120m.

Ronaldo could be reunited with Wayne Rooney if he decides to return to Old Trafford
Ronaldo could be reunited with Wayne Rooney if he decides to return to Old Trafford
They also agreed to pay loanee striker Falcao £265,000 a week between now and the end of the season. 
However, a move for Ronaldo would blow those salaries out of the water and cause potential problems. 
Another Premier League executive said: ‘Even when you have a dressing room full of well-paid players, you are always taking a risk when you introduce a player who earns so much more than the rest.’

United have already flexed their financial muscle to sign Radamel Falcao on loan this season
United have already flexed their financial muscle to sign Radamel Falcao on loan this season
United did to go the extra mile to sign another Real Madrid player, Angel di Maria
United did to go the extra mile to sign another Real Madrid player, Angel di Maria

25 September 2014

Is this the world’s most expensive car? $6 million gold Lamborghini pictured in Paris

  • Gold-plated Lamborghini Aventador parked by Plaza Athenee palace hotel on the luxury Avenue Montaigne
  • The luxury car appears to be from Saudi Arabia and sports a distinctive 666 number plate
  • Last year solid gold model Lamborghini Aventador went on display in Dubai with a pricetag of $7.5 million
As far as supercars go this might be the one to beat.
Labelled as quite possibly the most expensive car in the world, the gold Lamborghini Aventador has been spotted cruising the streets of Paris.
As fashion week starts today, the car - which is valued at around £4 million and appears to be from Saudi Arabia - was parked outside the Plaza Athenee palace hotel on the luxury Avenue Montaigne.
Scroll down for video 
Labelled as quite possibly the most expensive car in the world, the gold Lamborghini Aventador has been spotted cruising the streets of the French capital
Labelled as quite possibly the most expensive car in the world, the gold Lamborghini Aventador has been spotted cruising the streets of the French capital
The car - which is valued at around £4 million and appears to be from Saudi Arabia - was parked outside the Plaza Athenee palace hotel on the luxury Avenue Montaigne
The car - which is valued at around £4 million and appears to be from Saudi Arabia - was parked outside the Plaza Athenee palace hotel on the luxury Avenue Montaigne

Sporting a distinctive 666 number plate, the gold-plated supercar appears to be the same one which has been turning heads in the French capital over the past few days.
Car enthusiasts have filmed the gold plated vehicle, which features a 6.5-litre V12 engine delivering 692 hp, driving through some of Paris's most exclusive streets.
The most impressive supercars, popular with wealthy playboys and mega-rich Arabs, are usually housed in the Middle East. 
But they are often spotted on the streets of European cities over the summer months, when rich Qataris, Saudis, Emiratis and Kuwaitis move away to escape the Middle East's baking mid-summer temperatures.

Sporting a distinctive 666 number plate, the gold-plated supercar appears to be the same one which has been turning heads in the French capital over the past few days
Sporting a distinctive 666 number plate, the gold-plated supercar appears to be the same one which has been turning heads in the French capital over the past few days
Car enthusiasts have filmed the gold plated vehicle, which features a 6.5-litre V12 engine delivering 692 hp, driving through some of Paris's most exclusive streets
Car enthusiasts have filmed the gold plated vehicle, which features a 6.5-litre V12 engine delivering 692 hp, driving through some of Paris's most exclusive streets
Even the brake callipers on the distinctive supercar seen in Paris over the past few days are gold coated
Even the brake callipers on the distinctive supercar seen in Paris over the past few days are gold coated

The vehicles - which act as a magnet for curious tourists and car enthusiasts - are tailor-made versions of famous models from car manufacturers such as Lamborghini, Ferrari, Bugattis and Bentley.

LAMBORGHINI AVENTADOR LP 700-4 

Top speed: 217mph (350kph)
Acceleration (0-62mph): 2.9 seconds
Seats: 2
Miles per gallon: 17.7mpg
Price: Around £300,000 

This summer a striking gold Ferrari sitting on Sloane Street in London drew a few admiring glances. Among the other supercars spotted were a £2.5 million premium LaFerrari, £2 million Bugatti Veyron and £700,000 McLarent.
But the gold Lamborghini parked up outside the Plaza Athenee suggests that the supercar summer is not quite over yet.
Last year, a model gold Lamborghini Aventador went on display at a showroom in Dubai to celebrate the manufacturer's 50th birthday.
The gold vehicle had a pricetag of $7.5 million, making it the world's most expensive model car.
Carved out of a 500-kilogram block of solid gold, the finished model contained 25 kilograms of the precious metal. The model was designed by German mechanical engineer Robert Gülpen and sculpted from the same carbon fibre used to make Formula One cars.
This summer a striking gold Ferrari sitting on Sloane Street in London drew a few admiring glances
This summer a striking gold Ferrari sitting on Sloane Street in London drew a few admiring glances
Supercars are often spotted on the streets of European cities over the summer months, when their mega-rich owners  escape the Middle East's baking temperatures
Supercars are often spotted on the streets of European cities over the summer months, when their mega-rich owners escape the Middle East's baking temperatures

Mr Gülpen said: 'I wanted to do what no-one else has done before, to build a model car that is an "icon within an icon".
'I wanted to create a tribute to the legend of the automobile.'
The 1:8 scale replica of the Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 was just a prototype - for an even more extravagant model that will be cast from a block of solid gold.
A model gold Lamborghini Aventador went on display at a showroom in Dubai to celebrate the manufacturer's 50th birthday.The gold vehicle had a price tag of $7.5 million, making it the world's  most expensive model car
A model gold Lamborghini Aventador went on display at a showroom in Dubai to celebrate the manufacturer's 50th birthday.The gold vehicle had a price tag of $7.5 million, making it the world's most expensive model car
The 1:8 scale replica of the Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 was just a prototype - for an even more extravagant model that will be cast from a block of solid gold
The 1:8 scale replica of the Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 was just a prototype - for an even more extravagant model that will be cast from a block of solid gold

DUIT