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Phil and Ben were amongst thirteen RYA Regional Young Sailor of the Year winners who are voted for by RYA affiliated sailing clubs. 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.
Ben Ainslie also presented awards to the RYA Regional Winners:
Eastern: Aaron Lowther and Steve Curtis
East Midlands: Alice Kent and Lucy Childs
Northern Ireland: Chris Eames
North East: Gary Rutherford
Scotland: Callum Airlie
South East: Thomas Lambert
South West: Isobel Hamilton
Thames Valley: Sophie Hamilton
Wales: Hannah Tilley
West Midlands: Andrew Bridgman
Yorkshire and Humberside: Emma Labourne
North West: Adam Purcell
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 votes from members of the public for the YJA Pantaenius Young Sailor of the Year, over 1,700 RYA affiliated clubs have the opportunity to nominate. Plus, the RYA puts forward winners from each of its 13 regions as nominations for the YJA Pantaenius Young Sailor of the Year.
YJA Pantaenius Young Sailor of the Year receives a trophy and goodies provided by Azure Wear UK, Yacht Parts Plymouth and Allspars.
The 2009 YJA Pantaenius Yachtsman of the Year will be announced on Tuesday 12th January, at an awards ceremony to be held at Trinity House, London. Finalists for this prestigious title are Paul Goodison, World Laser champion, Olympic Gold medal and five times European champion. Paul is the only sailor worldwide to hold all three awards at the same time and was nominated for the ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Award. Sam Davies, first placed Briton in the Vendee Globe 2008/09. Sam competed in the Transat Jacque Vabre race which finished late 2009 and was also nominated for the ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Award. Finally, Ian Williams. Two times World Match Race champion. Ian became the first British National to be crowned Match Racing World champion in the event’s 19 year history.
The award will be presented by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston a previous winner himself.
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 2009. YJA Pantaenius Young Sailor of the Year awards British youngsters aged 18 and under (as at 31 December 2009), in possession of a British passport (or immediately eligible to receive a British passport), who have made a significant impact on youth sailing.
• 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, Tracy Edwards MBE, Dame Ellen MacArthur and Ben Ainslie CBE.
• 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 winners of both awards are nominated by the public and elected by the votes of the Yachting Journalists’ Association (YJA).
• Nominations were elected by the YJA and winners of both awards will be announced during the Tullett Prebon London International Boat Show in January 2010.
• Pantaenius is one of the leading yacht insurance intermediaries in Europe with over a hundred years of experience in this specialised market.
For further information please contact Fiona Williams, Communications Supervisor for Pantaenius UK Limited. +44 1752 22 36 56 or fiona@pantaenius.co.uk | 
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