World Superyacht Awards

THE OSCARS OF THE SUPERYACHT WORLD

Each May, the superyacht industry’s elite gather for the glamorous World Superyacht Awards, which honour the finest new superyacht builds delivered to their owners in the past twelve months.

Combining a glittering awards ceremony with a gala dinner and dance, the Awards – dubbed the Oscars of the superyacht world – are attended by an elite guest list of international superyacht owners and the most influential players in the superyacht industry.

Each winner is presented with a coveted Neptune trophy, which has become synonymous with excellence in superyacht build and design. The concept was simple; the god of the sea in Roman mythology should be centre stage in an event that will reflect the beauty and power of the sea. These prestigious awards are now displayed on magnificent vessels all over the globe, a badge of distinction proudly worn by their owners.

Fourteen Neptune Awards, each one individually custom made, are presented in the various yacht categories, with the judges sometimes awarding Special Awards.

World Superyacht Awards Neptunes awaiting presentation

YACHT AWARD CATEGORIES
The yacht award categories have been established in consultation with yacht builders and naval architects, so that yachts can be judged against other vessels of a similar size and type.

There are four awards for displacement motor yachts (those vessels that always displace their own weight of water), and three awards for semi-displacement motor yachts that at higher speeds displace less than their weight of water, operating in ‘planing’ mode. This distinction is made because these two types of yachts call for very different construction philosophies, the latter type being much more lightly-built.

Two further awards are reserved for sailing yachts, and one award for yachts that have been given major refits that finished in the qualifying year.

Finally, there are two awards for the motor yacht and sailing yacht that are considered by the judges to be the most notable in the qualifying year.

Voyager’s Award
This award recognises an owner who has made extensive use of his or her yacht in long distance voyaging and exploration over the past few years.

Legacy Award
This award recognises an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the superyacht industry over many years.

2012 WINNERS

The 2012 World Superyacht Awards was held for the first time in Istanbul, Turkey, in the magnificent Ç?ra?an Palace Kempinski, overlooking the historic Bosphorus waterway. The gala evening was attended by a distinguished guest list of superyacht owners, their families, friends and senior members of the superyacht industry. News broadcaster Natasha Kaplinsky presented the silver Neptune awards to the owners of the finest sail and motor yachts delivered in 2011.

Sixteen coveted Neptunes – including two Judges’ Special Awards and five Judges’ Commendation prizes, custom made for the occasion by Baccarat, were awarded to the winners on the night.

Notable awards included:

Motor Yacht of the Year, sponsored by Camper & Nicholsons International, was awarded to 77.7m Tango, built by Feadship and styled by Eidsgaard Design.

Sailing Yacht of the Year, sponsored by Proteksan Turquoise, went to 67.2m Vertigo, built by Alloy Yachts and styled by Philippe Briand, with an interior by Christian Liaigre Yacht Design.

The Voyager’s Award, sponsored by Alloy Yachts, was presented to the owners of the 46m motor yacht Golden Compass, whose inspirational 30,000nm world cruise began in the USA and concluded in Papua New Guinea visiting over 45 countries along the way,

The Legacy Award was presented to Neville Crichton, for his instrumental role in the establishment and growth of the New Zealand superyacht building industry, for his leading position in the world of sailboat racing, his generosity of spirit, and his inspiration to others in these fields.

Read the full list of winning yachts for 2012

For more information visit www.worldsuperyachtawards.com

Events News Announcing the Winners of the World Superyacht Awards 2011 A gala dinner at London's Guildhall saw the winners of the Neptunes, Special Awards and Judges' Commendations presented with their awards on the night of 7 May 2011

Events Videos World Superyacht Awards 2011 video Watch the highlights of the 2011 World Superyacht Awards gala evening in The Guildhall, London, which was attended by an elite guest list of superyacht owners from around the globe

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