In pictures: The Superyacht Design Festival 2024

The Superyacht Design Festival 2024 unfolded against the picturesque backdrop of Kitzhübel, Austria, attracting luminaries from the world of superyachts and design. The festival also crowned the winners of the BOAT Design & Innovation Awards, the BOAT Artistry & Craft Awards and the Young Designer of the Year Award. With two days of insightful talks, the adrenaline-pumping Ski Cup, in association with Lürssen, and a vibrant social agenda, the festival offered an immersive experience for the superyacht design industry.

The highlights

The awards

The festival kicked off with the Design & Innovation Awards, celebrating outstanding achievements in superyacht design, from naval architecture to styling and technology. Notable winners included Leona, Sarissa, Entourage, Ace and the Oceanic 143, to name a few. Additionally, a Lifetime Achievement Award recognised Frank Mulder’s substantial contribution to the industry. At the end of the ceremony, the Young Designer of the Year Award, in association with Feadship, went to the talented Pradipta Hakim. The night concluded with a celebratory cocktail on the K3 terrace, providing the perfect ambiance for celebration and networking.

The following day, the Artistry & Craft Awards took centre stage, honouring exceptional craftsmanship in the industry. The Excellence in Craftsmanship Award was claimed by Cristina Vezzini & Stan Chen, while the Emerging Artisan of the Year title went to Grace Ayson. Notably, Paul Jewby received the judges' special award, highlighting his unique contributions to the world of superyacht craftsmanship.

The conference

The two-day conference was held at Kitzbühel's K3, where guests heard from leaders in the world of superyacht design. Design innovators took the stage to discuss a range of current topics, including AI, sustainable superyacht interiors, solar glass and teak, to name a few. As well as this, owner Frédéric Jousset, spoke of the iconic design of this 47-metre ArtExplorer and Dickie Bannenberg reflected on his award-winning yacht design career.

The social programme

The Superyacht Design Festival went beyond the awards ceremonies, fostering networking opportunities throughout the day. Coffee breaks and a dedicated lunch for attendees created an environment for industry professionals to connect, exchange ideas and build collaborations. Young Designers of the Year finalists were treated to an exclusive lunch with the judges, our partner, Feadship, and top names in yacht design, providing invaluable insights and mentorship for emerging talents.

The festival social

As the first day of talks concluded, the festival social unfolded at Hochkitzbühel bei Tomschy. Guests were greeted with champagne before ascending the mountain by gondola. Attendees were treated to live entertainment and a three-course meal, and enjoyed the dancing, chatting and the "alpine chic" theme of the evening.

Ski Cup in association with Lürssen

A highlight of the festival, the Ski Cup, in association with Lürssen, was a blend of competition and camaraderie. Spectators witnessed exhilarating races, including the Women's Giant Slalom, Men's Giant Slalom, Snowboarding Giant Slalom and the Team Race. Following the excitement on the slopes, the event transitioned to a prize-giving ceremony, networking opportunities and a DJ set.

The sponsors

BOAT International would like to extend a special thank you to all of our event partners this year: Oliveri, Feadship, KMF, Sleipner, Compass Tenders, Falcon Tenders, Viraver, Sabrina Monte-Carlo, Videoworks, Lürssen, Benetti, Sanlorenzo, Ocean Alexander and The Rug Company, without whom the event would not be possible. We would also like to thank our supporting partners, Lasvit and Triton Submarines, for their continued support and Lürssen for sponsoring the Ski Cup.

The Superyacht Design Festival 2025 will return to Kitzbühel by popular demand on 2-4 February 2025.

If you have any questions regarding the Superyacht Design Festival or the awards, please email the events team.