Europe's Yachts of the Year: The candidates in the Performance Cruiser category

All new or significantly revised boats from the current model year are eligible for the Yacht of the Year nomination. The number of newcomers varies between 50 and 70 and are recorded in a separate database. Every year in June, the judges jointly filter the most interesting representatives in the respective categories from the possible candidates. This is followed by two test events at which the candidates are compared and assessed. The first round took the jury to La Rochelle at the end of September. The second, even more extensive test followed in October off Port Ginesta near Barcelona. It lasted a whole week. As always, the winners are chosen at boot Düsseldorf in January.

Here we present the candidates in the 5 categories:

Performance Cruiser

First 36

Fast, light, gliding and still suitable for touring: the new, hot racer from Beneteau

• You can find more about the First 36 and many pictures here

Elan E6

A yacht styled by Pininfarina, designed more for fast cruising than for success on the regatta course

• You can find more about the Elan E6 and many more pictures here

Grand Soleil 40

Available as a touring or race version, the latter optimised for ORC. Sails wonderfully precise and starts quickly in gusts

• Click here for the complete test of the Grand Soleil 40

Italia 12.98

Cossutti design, similar in character to the Grand Soleil. Quite narrow below deck, somewhat sober in design

• You can find more information and photos in this article

Solaris 50

The most visually exciting yacht in this class. Very sleek, very elegant, very lively to sail. Also great: the impeccable interior

• You can find more information and photos in this article

All candidates also in the video:

• H here you can see all the candidates