WINNER OF THE YJA PANTAENIUS YACHTSMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD ANNOUNCED

British yachtswoman Sam Davies crowned YJA Pantaenius Yachtsman of the Year

Dateline:12th January 2010 – Trinity House, London
                 
Today, British solo yachtswoman Sam Davies won the coveted title of YJA Pantaenius Yachtsman of the Year for 2009.  The announcement was made at an awards ceremony held at Trinity House, London.  Portsmouth born Sam, now based in Concarneau, France, was first placed Briton in the French Vendée Globe 2008/09 singlehanded non-stop round the world race in her Open 60 yacht ‘Roxy’. The 36 year old was the first woman, finishing third overall.  Recently she completed the Transat Jacque Vabre transatlantic race, finishing 10th with team mate Sidney Gavignet. She was also nominated for the ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Award last year.

The other finalists for the YJA Pantaenius Yachtsman of the Year award were Paul Goodison, World Laser champion, Olympic Gold medalist and five times European champion, and Ian Williams, the  two times World Match Race champion. Paul (32) is the only sailor worldwide to hold all three event titles at the same time and was also nominated for the ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Award.  Ian Williams (32) became the first British National to be crowned Match Racing World champion in the event’s 19 year history. He won the title in 2007 and again in 2008 - A name to watch for in future America's Cup events.
 
The trophy was presented by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, himself a three times winner of the award.

Rod Carr presented with a YJA Special Award

Rod Carr, the retiring CEO of the Royal Yachting Association was also presented with a YJA Special Award as a mark of gratitude for the many years of dedication and valuable service he has given to British yachting.
 
The 2009 YJA Pantaenius Young Sailor of the Year was announced at a separate ceremony held on Saturday 9th January at the Tullett Prebon London International Boat Show. 17-year olds Phil Sparks from Mudeford Hampshire, and Ben Gratton from Guildford, Surrey were presented with the Award by sailing legend Ben Ainslie CBE, a previous winner himself who has gone on to win the Yachtsman of the Year Award three times.
 
Last autumn Phil and Ben were voted RYA Southern Regional Young Sailors of the Year 2009. They won Gold in their 420 on the final day of the 2009 Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championships in Brazil. They also won first place in the Kiel Week regatta and third place in the 420 Class World Championships at Lake Garda.
 
Phil and Ben were amongst 13 RYA Regional Young Sailor of the Year winners who are voted for by RYA affiliated sailing clubs and who were also presented with their awards by Ben Ainslie. These young sailors have made a significant impact on youth sailing, ranging from gold medal winning achievements and overcoming adversity, to the huge amount of hard work and effort they give back to their clubs.

Notes to Editors:

The YJA Pantaenius Yachtsman of the Year Award is open to any British resident or passport holder who has made an outstanding achievement under sail or power during the year. The YJA Pantaenius Young Sailor of the Year awards British youngsters aged 18 and under (as at 31 December), in possession of a British passport (or immediately eligible to receive a British passport), who have made a significant impact on youth sailing.

The YJA Pantaenius Yachtsman of the Year Award was initiated in 1955 by Sir Max Aitken and now bears the names of the greatest achievers in British yachting circles over the past five decades. Previous winners include Eric Hiscock, Sir Francis Chichester, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, Sir Chay Blyth, Sir Edward Heath, Clare Francis, Harold Cudmore, Tracy Edwards MBE, Sir Peter Blake, Dame Ellen MacArthur and Ben Ainslie CBE.

The YJA Pantaenius Yachtsman of the Year receives the prestigious Yachtsman of the Year trophy, a silver navigation buoy mounted on a sea of crystal, which was commissioned by the late Sir Max Aitken.

The YJA Pantaenius Young Sailor of the Year Award was first presented in 1993. Early winners include Dame Ellen MacArthur and Ben Ainslie CBE, who both went on to win the Yachtsman of the Year title. In addition to nominations from members of the public over 1,700 RYA affiliated clubs have the opportunity to nominate. Plus, the RYA nominates winners from each of its 13 regions.
The winners of both awards are nominated by the public and elected by the votes of the Yachting Journalists’ Association (YJA).

Pantaenius is one of the leading yacht insurance intermediaries in Europe with offices in 9 countries and more than a hundred years of experience in this specialised market.
 
Media contacts for interviews:

Fiona Williams - Communications Supervisor for Pantaenius UK Limited. +44 (0)1752 22 36 56 or fiona@pantaenius.co.uk

June-Marie Hamilton - YJA Chairman. +44 (0)7717 798497 or jmh@dip.demon.co.uk