As part of the Flagship Night, the prizes for Europe's yachts of the year 2019 were awarded. In front of 450 invited guests from the international water sports industry, YACHT editor-in-chief Jochen Rieker, who acts as chairman of the twelve-person jury, presented the titles in the five categories.
In order to determine the winners, all candidates had to face a test at sea lasting several days last autumn. This is what distinguishes the European Yacht of the Year Award from all other elections worldwide: It is not a sympathy or beauty contest and also not a click game, but is based on intensive practical testing.
The jury
The experienced jury consists of the editors-in-chief and test directors of the twelve leading sailing magazines, including "Yachting World" from England, "Voiles & Voiliers" from France and, for Germany, YACHT. Norway and Finland are represented as well as Austria and Switzerland, Italy and Spain.
The tests took place last year for the first time in the 16-year history of the election off Ellös on the boat builder island Orust and in mid-October off Port Ginest south of Barcelona. A total of 18 yachts were nominated, including five between 21 and 25 feet - there was not that many compact cruisers in the selection for a long time.
Who won? See the winners in all five categories on the following pages.