Nominations have now closed for the 2015 boats.com YJA Yachtsman of the Year Award with an impressive list of nominees shortlisted for this highly competitive and prestigious yachting honour. The 2015 Yachtsman of the Year Award carries even more significance as it celebrates its Diamond Jubilee year.
The shortlist of nominees has a host of top names from the sport with Giles Scott, Ian Walker and Ian Williams making the list for their outstanding achievements during 2015.
Giles Scott has dominated the Finn class for the past two years, maintaining an unbeaten run since October 2013. Ian Walker became the first British skipper to win the Volvo Ocean race where he led Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing to victory in the 2014/15 event. Ian Williams won the ISAF World Match Racing Championship for a record fifth time, finishing the 2014/15 season with 12 event wins and 35 podium finishes.
All three are in contention to receive the top award at a gala ceremony in London on Tuesday 12th January 2016 at Trinity House London.
Nominees: Giles Scott, Ian Walker and Ian Williams
The boats.com Young Sailor of the Year Award will also be presented at the gala event, with the shortlist comprised of up-and-coming young talents Jack Lewis, Eleanor Poole and Cameron Tweedle. Jack has had a highly successful season, placing third overall in the RS Feva Junior World Championship and the RS Feva Junior Europeans, which he won outright. Eleanor won the 2015 Topper National championships and also secured an impressive seventh at the Worlds on Lake Garda in Italy. Cameron had a successful first season in the Olympic Finn class where he finished first under 18 in the Finn Silver Cup and 11th overall in the French Nationals.
The winners of the boats.com YJA Yachtsman of the Year Award and Young Sailor of the Year Award will be decided by YJA members’ votes.
The list of nominations was impressive: from windsurfer Jono Dunnett’s unsupported circumnavigation of the UK, to Sam Davies’ leadership of the first female team to compete in the Volvo Ocean race for many years, Ian Southworth’s long-sought J/24 world championship victory, and an impressive display from Ben Saxton and Toby Lewis at the dinghy champion of champions event, sailing provided journalists with a diverse wealth of material.
Katie Jackson, boats.com brand manager, commented: “The shortlist of nominees for the UK’s top sailing award, the boats.com YJA Yachtsman of the Year Award, is always very strong. This year, the list highlights some exceptional achievements, and it’s going to be tough for the members of the YJA to choose a winner. We’re already looking forward to learning who the winners are at the ceremony in January.”
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