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The finalists of the 2009 YJA Pantaenius Yachtsman of the Year and YJA Pantaenius Young Sailor of the Year awards have been announced. The vote for the overall winner now goes to the members of the Yachting Journalists’ Association (YJA) in a secret ballot. The winner of each award will be revealed at two separate ceremonies during the Tullett Prebon London International Boat Show in January 2010.
YJA Pantaenius Yachtsman of the Year finalists includes 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 is currently sailing the Transat Jacque Vabre race 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.
Finalists for the YJA Pantaenius Young Sailor of the Year includes Isobel Hamilton. In April 2009 Isobel was third overall in the RYA Youth National Champions and Trials '09, securing her a place in the team for the ISAF games. In July she took silver in the ISAF Games in Brazil. One week later in the RS:X Youth Worlds in Turkey she took Gold. Isobel celebrated her 17th birthday in August whilst competing in the IWA Worlds in Portland, taking Gold again. Phil Sparks and Ben Gratton. 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 Worlds at Lake Garda. Finally, Aaron Lowther and Steve Curtis. Both have won their age groups 13 to 16 year olds and 8 to 12 year olds respectively for the second year running in the Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship.
Winners of both awards will be voted for by the Yachting Journalists’ Association. The YJA Pantaenius Yachtsman of the Year will be announced at an awards ceremony on Tuesday 12th January 2010 at Trinity House, Tower Hill, London.
The YJA Pantaenius Young Sailor of the Year Award will be announced at 17:00 hrs on Saturday 9th January 2010 at the Tullett Prebon London International Boat Show at ExCel on the main stage. RYA Regional Winners will also be presented with their awards at the ceremony.
RYA Regional Winners are:
Eastern: Aaron Lowther and Steve Curtis*
East Midlands: Alice Kent and Lucy Childs
Northern Ireland: Chris Eames
North East: Gary Rutherford
Scotland: Callum Airlie
Southern: Phil Sparks and Ben Gratton*
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
*Also finalists for the YJA Pantaenius Young Sailor of the Year Award.
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.
- 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.
- The winners of both awards are nominated by the public and elected by the votes of the Yachting Journalists’ Association (YJA).
- 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 Pantaenius goodies.
- Nominations will be 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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