J/70 European Boat Of The Year!

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While on display at Dusseldorf, the world’s largest boat show, the J/70 was named "European Yacht of the Year- Special Category".  While several J’s have been previously nominated, the J/70 is the first winner.  On hand to accept the award was Didier Le Moal, President of J/Composites.  

Here is Dieter Loibner’s report from boats.com: "Finally, the secrets are out- during "Flagship Night" following the opening day of the Düsseldorf Boat Show, the winners of the EYOTY contest got on stage. The "Who’s Who of the international boat business" gathered at the gala "Flagship Night", sponsored by the German publisher Delius-Klasing, to witness the awards of this year’s European Yacht of the Year contest.

After thoroughly inspecting and testing the 25 nominated boats in Southampton, England and La Spezia, Italy the international expert jury returned the following winners:  "Special Yachts- J/70".  Nominated late as a substitute, the American-designed J/70 swayed the panel with a flawless showing during the last, and final, test days in Italy. Good acceleration, easy and precise on the helm, featuring a simple yet functional layout and a very effective sail plan, the J/70 will excite racing sailors and family crews alike. It’s the first J/Boat with a lifting keel, and it turned into a smashing success."

Said Jochen Rieker from Germany's YACHT Magazine, "For the tenth time, the international award of "European Yacht of the Year", is the annual contest that awards Europe's best new boats with the "Oscar of Water Sports".  The jury is made up of the test judges and chief editors of the eighteen leading sailing and powerboat magazines in Europe.  Every year in Europe there are nearly 100 new sailboats on the market but only five will earn the coveted title of "European Yacht of the Year 2013".

Yachting World (UK) editors had this to say, "Don't be surprised to see this one-design pocket-rocket to sell in the thousands. She sails as good as she looks, fast and fun, stiff as a board, and manageable but with more than a twinkling of J-style off-wind thrills. She represents good value, too, as I've no doubt she'll command a high resale price."

For those of you who missed seeing the remarkable BOOT Dusseldorf Show, please be sure to visit the two shows in The Netherlands-- BOOT HOLLAND or the famous HISWA Amsterdam Show.  BOOT HOLLAND runs from February 8-13 in Leeuwarden, see the J/70 on Stand# 5079 (http://www.bootholland.nl).  From Mar 6-10 is the HISWA Amsterdam Boat show- Amsterdam, Holland (http://www.hiswarai.nl/).  Please be sure to contact Robin or Angelique Verhoef at J/Benelux, hosts of the show, at Ph. +31-78-630-5505 or email- info@jboats.nl.