Please select your home edition
Edition
Crewsaver 2021 Safetyline LEADERBOARD

Nebuchadnezzar escapes The Matrix to win Concours d'Elegance at the RYA Dinghy and Watersports Show

by Mark Jardine 25 Feb 2023 17:52 GMT 25 February 2023
Pete & Joshua Jary's Shearater 'Nebuchadnezzar' wins the Concours d'Elegance at the RYA Dinghy and Watersports Show 2023 © Paul Wyeth / RYA

For the judging of the Concours d'Elegance, Mark Jardine, Editor of YachtsandYachting.com, was joined this year by British Sailing Team ILCA 7 sailor Micky Beckett. The huge crowds made getting a close look at all the boats harder than ever, and the presentation of the boats made deciding on a winner very difficult.

In the end the judges chose the Shearwater catamaran 'Nebuchadnezzar', with its stunning Matrix-inspired graphics, innovative fittings and great finish which won it the trophy.

The winner Pete Jary said: "Fantastic! We were weren't planning on even remotely having a chance to win a prestigious prize, but it's great after all the hard work I've put in with my son making the boat; it's wonderful that it's come to this. It's brilliant! Thank you."

Pete's son, Joshua, added, "It's the fact that I didn't expect it to win it! I knew we had a good chance, but it looked like there were loads of other nicer boats."

Micky Beckett said on the winner: "I think it was the originality of the display of the boat, both the features on it, the graphics and the way it was presented to us by the guys on the stand; just awesome and really compelling!"

On his first time judging he added: "It's a lot to take on board; you're being impressed over and over again. Then you have to sit down and compare some wildly different things, and that's tricky. But it's an awesome challenge."

Mark Jardine, who has judged every year since the award's inception said: "I think this was the hardest winner to choose. With the range of dinghies being so diverse, it's tricky to compare like for like, so the emotional reaction you have to a boat, and its presentation, plays a huge part. So many different aspects caught our eyes, including the graphics, features, and sheer enthusiasm of the sailors, young and old."

Special mentions must also be made of the Merlin Rocket stand, with three stunning boats on display, and an incredible ropefest on Jon Turner's 'Ecstasy' that even had self-bailers controllable from the windward rail, the H2 'Alice' of Richard le Mare with a pearlescent purple hull and LED under-gunwale lighting, the stunning brand-new Scorpion, the innovative foiling Switch dinghy, a beautifully renovated 1955 Firefly, the Thames A Rater (with a borrowed RS21 mast as theirs wouldn't fit in the hall) and the always-brilliant Challenger stand.

The Concours d'Elegance has now been awarded for fifteen years and has recognised a diverse range of boats, from classics with impeccable varnish finishes, to the latest in high tech sailing. Take a look at all winners of the prestigious trophy below.

Previous Concours d'Elegance Winners:

Related Articles

The holistic approach of Ancasta Yacht Services
Helping owners protect their investment and keep their boat in top condition Take a look behind the wood, gelcoat and trim panels on any modern yacht or powerboat, and you'll see that they are complex things. An array of cables, hoses & pipes interconnects electronic devices and amenities which make life on board more comfortable. Posted on 17 Apr
Jazz Turner explains more about Project FEAR
She will leave the wheelchair behind to sail unassisted around the British Isles for charity I caught up with Jazz Turner, who cited "the pure freedom I get when on the water" as the most important thing to her. Most of us sailors can appreciate that, but what we cannot really empathise with is being told you may only have 6 months to live. Posted on 15 Apr
Pro Sailing Drama and Intrigue
SailGP, the America's Cup, and the sailors themselves have all been in the mainstream news What a couple of weeks it has been in the world of professional sailing: SailGP, the America's Cup, and the sailors themselves have all been in the mainstream news for one reason or another. Posted on 15 Apr
For the love of small, fast boats - the Cape 26
Chickens, eggs, and boats. Until now, had never, ever put that lot together! The proverbial chicken, an egg, and boats. Not entirely sure I had ever pondered that until after my recent conversation with Davey James and Mark Mills. The genesis for the discussion was the reveal of the new Cape 26 OD.... Posted on 6 Apr
The Proving Ground
Why the Trofeo Princesa Sofia Mallorca by FERGUS is such an important regatta The end of an Olympic quadrennial cycle often brings sailing campaigns to an end. Some partnerships in doublehanded classes split, with helm and crew going their separate ways, while others use the time to reflect on their future. Posted on 1 Apr
The most important job in sailing
How Nick Scott is delivering radical change to competitive sailing pathways in the UK I am putting forward that falls to Nick Scott and his team. Namely to secure its competitive future by addressing challenges and delivering radical change while bringing people on that journey with him. Posted on 31 Mar
Revealing the Secrets of the 'Impossible' XR 41
An out and out race yacht, but also a sporty cruiser, thanks to its modular interior The XR 41 from X-Yachts was quite a departure from what they'd been doing for the last 15 years: concentrating on high-end Performance Racing Cruisers. This is an out and out race yacht, but it's also a sporty cruiser, thanks to its modular interior. Posted on 27 Mar
Going to publish the 'F' word – Again!
Clearly, there are lots of young sailors out there looking to add a load of fun to their sailing Now we published the first one back in June last year. It did really well, thank you. Very much appreciated. Clearly, there are lots of young sailors out there looking to add a load of fun to their sailing, and are keen to get into the foiling world. Posted on 23 Mar
RYA influences MCA's changes to regulations
Interview with Niall McLeod to see how Sport and Pleasure Code of Practice affects us The RYA have been working closely with the the government to make sure that new regulations for leisure vessels are not too restrictive. It seems that any group which operates a "coded" vessel should be thankful. Posted on 18 Mar
No more excuses
2025 is all about the club sailors, the weekend warriors, the open meeting stalwarts I was wondering if things were going to slow down in sailing after the huge events of 2024, namely the Olympics, America's Cup and Vendée Globe but, if anything, they've speeded up. Posted on 17 Mar