There are not many athletes whose medal cabinet and trophy shelves were as overflowing with awards as Vello’s. He was a four-time European champion, in addition to winning silver and bronze medals, and an 11-time Estonian champion in the Monotype XV ice yacht class. In his time, in exceptionally fierce competition, he also won one gold, one silver, and three bronze medals at the USSR Championships.
He set the USSR speed record in the DN-class ice yacht in 1974. In that same class, he became Estonian champion in 1980.
At the age of 75, Vello Jürjo was chosen as Hiiumaa’s Athlete of the Year. That is no small feat.
The ice yachts he built are still considered the absolute world top level.
Vello Jürjo
Fair winds to you, Vello, on the heavenly ice fields!
