Europe's Yacht of the Year 2021: These are the nominees for the 2021 Boatbuilding Oscars

The decision is still pending, but the pre-selection has been made: The jury of Europe's twelve leading sailing magazines selected the best new publications in five categories. And the sea trials have already begun.

Ten days ago, the editors-in-chief and test chiefs met for the first time in Kiel-Schilksee to sail the group of luxury yachts; the Dragonfly 40 was also part of the group. The second round will begin next Monday off Cannes, before the final series of tests starts off La Rochelle on the Atlantic coast at the beginning of October.

Three locations, three test runs lasting several days - never before in the almost 20-year history of Europe's Yacht of the Year has such a huge effort been necessary. Last year, for example, the elaborate programme in Port Ginesta near Barcelona was concentrated into a single event. But what is normal this year? Of course, corona!

The recent tightening of travel restrictions and quarantine regulations are also currently making the Boatbuilding Oscars more difficult to organise. Nevertheless, the jury unanimously decided not to deviate from its credo of subjecting all nominees to extensive practical testing - only with distance, masks, disinfectant solution and all due caution. After all, the opening event in Kiel already offered ideal conditions, and the weather models are also predicting enough wind for Cannes.

An innovation that has been under consideration for some time and has now been implemented for the first time has resulted in the nomination: catamarans and trimarans no longer sail in their own multihull category, but in the other groups according to their design. The two new Corsair 880 and Dragonfly 40 will compete in the performance cruiser class, the Bali Catspace and Excess 11 in the cruising yacht class and the Garcia Explocat 52 in the blue water boat class.

Incidentally, German designs are represented several times. Three very different and highly interesting models have made it into the final round: From Giebelstadt comes the Bavaria C42 which sails against Beneteau's Oceanis 40.1, among others. The Hanseyachts Group is represented with the Moody DS 41 prominently represented. And with the Viator Explorer 42 DS also includes an innovative rough water yacht, designed in Berlin, constructed on the Kiel Fjord and built in Holland.

Here is an overview of them all: The nominees for European Yacht of the Year 2021!

Category cruising yachts

- Bali Catspace
- Bavaria C42
- Elan GT6
- Excess 11
- Oceanis 40.1

Category luxury yachts

- Contest 55 CS
- Hallberg-Rassy 40C
- Moody DS 41

Performance cruiser category

- Corsair 880
- Dragonfly 40
- Grand Soleil 44 Performance

Category Blue water yachts

- Boreal 47.2
- Garcia Explocat 52
- Ovni 400
- Pegasus 50
- Viator Explorer 42 DS

Category Special boats

- Mojito 650
- Saffier SE 27 Leisure
- Tofinou 9.7

Further information on the members of the jury, the nominees and the winners from previous years will soon be available on the European Yacht of the Year website right here!