Review of the year 2024: January
YACHT Podcast
The new YACHT podcast goes on air at the beginning of the year. In it, well-known sailors and experts have their say, but the editorial team also reports on their everyday lives and interesting events that have arisen during the research for the magazine stories. Available on all known podcast channels.
YACHT title of the year
For the first time, our readers voted for the best YACHT cover motif from the past year. The margins are close, with the idyllic anchor scene in the Swedish archipelago on issue 3, photographed by Nico Krauss, coming out on top. It is closely followed by the orca on issue 5 and Boris Herrmann's "Malizia" on issue 2.
European Yacht of the Year Award
The Yachts of the Year will be honoured for the 20th time during a brilliant ceremony at the boot Düsseldorf trade fair. In the boatbuilding industry, the internationally recognised competition initiated by YACHT is often compared to the Oscars. The jury is formed by the 12 leading European magazines, and all nominated sailing and motor yachts are compared with each other in intensive tests. The award ceremony in Düsseldorf is always eagerly awaited.
Hallberg-Rassy enters new dimensions
Hallberg-Rassy is one of the most sought-after brands in yachting. The Hallberg-Rassy 69, the largest ship in the shipyard's history, was on display at boot in Düsseldorf. YACHT was able to go on board early for an exclusive test in wintry conditions.
Review of the year 2024: february
GPS interference
Interrupted GPS reception in the Baltic Sea is increasingly becoming a problem. Following interference two years ago on the Finnish border, areas in the Baltic region and large areas of the central Baltic Sea between Denmark, Sweden and Poland are now also affected. It is suspected that the interference signals are due to military activities in Kaliningrad, Russia.
Donated optis for the world's southernmost sailing school
After a three-year odyssey, four Optimists donated from Germany reach the southernmost sailing school in the world. In the turmoil of the coronavirus pandemic, the Optimis were first stranded on the Falkland Islands for a year, thought to be lost, only to turn up at Chilean customs. They finally reached Puerto Williams, just before Cape Horn. A happy ending for the sailing children of Tierra del Fuego.
Zizoo insolvency
The large online charter agency Zizoo, headquartered in Vienna, reveals dubious business practices. In the winter, it ran into payment difficulties and dozens of German crews had to pay for their charters a second time due to money not being passed on locally. In February, the German subsidiary filed for insolvency in the course of criminal investigations, and the company was sold by the insolvency administrator shortly afterwards.
Global Solo Challenge
The premiere of this non-stop single-handed race around the world sees 16 yachts at the start, but only seven of them finish the race. The race, which was conceived as an open race for contemporary racing yachts from 32 feet upwards, follows the clipper route along the three most notorious capes around the globe. After 147 days, Frenchman Philippe Delamare crosses the finish line as the winner. The winner of hearts soon after the start is the 29-year-old American Cole Brauer, who sails to second place.
Arkea Ultim Challenge
The superlative solo circumnavigation of the world started off Brest in January. Six skippers, all of them French, steer their gigantic trimarans across the line, which can reach speeds of more than 40 knots when foiling. After 50 days, 19 hours, 17 minutes and 42 seconds, favourite Charles Caudrelier wins.
Review of the year: That was the super sailing year 2024
- 2024: The most eventful sailing year ever?
- Exciting start - January and February
- Dramatic sinking and consequences of the storm surge - March and April
- Hullabaloo in early summer - May and June
- Eventful super sailing summer - July and August
- Autumn highlights - September and October
- Vendée Globe and Co. - November and December
