What it means to win a World Superyacht Award: "It's a badge of honour that never fades."

Jörg Wolle, owner of 39-metre sailing yacht  Vijonara, reflects on winning an award at the World Superyacht Awards in 2019.

When Jörg Wolle, passionate sailor and proud owner of 39-metre sailing yacht Vijonara won an award at the World Superyacht Awards 2019, he was naturally over the moon. Custom-built by Pendennis, the Hoek-designed Truly Classic 128 Vijonara was hailed by the judges to be a near “perfect example of her breed".

“Receiving the award was amazing,” Wolle recalls of the London ceremony. “You're sitting around on a big table waiting for a big announcement and then you suddenly hear your name…It’s a fantastic feeling.”

While grateful for the recognition, Wolle is quick to share the credit. “It was teamwork,” he says. “The award was a thank you for an excellent job by everyone involved – the yard, the interior team, the naval architect, the project manager. We brought everyone who was there that evening on stage and celebrated together.”

During the 18-month build, Wolle and his wife formed close relationships with Pendennis and project managers MCM, making the win feel like a shared triumph. “After working together for so long, you become friends with parts of the team – particularly my wife, who worked closely with the interior architects at Hermès. It was their first large sailing yacht, and she made several visits to Paris.”

Vijonara went on to win Best Sailing Yacht (30m–59.9m). Judges praised her classic lines, including a bowsprit for a Code 0 sail, a well-considered twin-cockpit layout balancing owner privacy with guest engagement, and exceptional leatherwork completed on site by Hermès artisans.

So, did the award have a lasting impact? “I’m very proud of what we created,” Wolle says. “But even more, I value everything we’ve experienced since. Vijonara has sailed around 85,000 nautical miles – it’s been our quality time with family and friends.”

As well as attracting global attention from all corners of the world, Wolle also believes that his yacht’s award is a badge of honour that never fades. “It's something that stays with the yacht for her whole life," he says.

Wolle went on to become a World Superyacht Awards judge in 2024, and describes them as the pinnacle of recognition in the industry.

“We are 23 highly qualified judges, all of whom are superyacht owners. When we reach a consensus that a yacht deserves an award, it means it is truly an outstanding product,” he says.

He adds that such recognition brings tangible benefits: “A Neptune signals something special, and that alone adds value. If a yacht is exceptional, it should naturally enhance both charter potential and resale value.”

While the awards naturally drive innovation and give shipyards a benchmark to aim for, they also unite the industry. “They give everyone something to look forward to each year – and to be proud of,” Wolle concludes.