Commentary: Billionaires in a year

In the mine-is-bigger-than-yours mega-yacht race, Russian oil tycoon Roman Abramovich, 40, the world’s eleventh richest billionaire at $18.2 billion, is in the lead with a $330 million, 525-footer – the 40-knot Eclipse – that has a crew of 40, 22 staterooms, a swimming pool, two helipads, a private submarine, and bullet-proof glass. Annual running costs: $20 million, including $120,000 to refuel. He owns three other giant boats in the plus 300-foot class for his friends to tag along in, and recently gave a 370-footer to a friend.