Tuesday 15 January 2008 ~ Today, Sir Robin Knox Johnston won the prestigious title of Raymarine/YJA Yachtsman of the Year – making it a double for the boys, following Laurence Greenough taking the title of Raymarine Young Sailor of the Year (announced at the London Boat Show on Saturday 12 January).
Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, from Devon, who completed the Velux 5 Oceans Race at the age of 68, thirty-eight years after his original (the first non-stop) solo circumnavigation of the world, was presented with the coveted award by Lady Pippa Blake. The prestigious awards ceremony, arranged by members of the Yachting Journalists’ Association (YJA), was held at The Painted Hall, The Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich.
Sir Robin said about winning the award: “Looking at the other finalists it was very unexpected. I had no idea! I’m the only person to have won the award three times, but I expect my record may not last as the others have age on their side. It’s a delightful surprise to share it with so many friends.”
Sir Robin first made history in 1969 when he took 312 days to become the first person to sail solo non-stop around the world in the Sunday Times Golden Globe, sailing Suhaili. He said he entered the Velux 5 Oceans Race, which finished in May 2007, to prove that age is not a barrier to getting out and doing things in life.
The Velux 5 Oceans Race is one of the toughest sporting challenges in the world. It pushes skippers’ endurance, resilience and determination for more than 150 days in demanding and extreme conditions. After finishing the race Sir Robin said he would not have missed it but vowed never to do another solo circumnavigation of the world.
Finalists for the prestigious title included World and Pre Olympic Champions Sarah Ayton, Sarah Webb and Pippa Wilson; disabled sailor Geoff Holt, who achieved his “Personal Everest” in 2007 by sailing around the UK single handed; and Mike Golding for risking his own life to rescue a fellow competitor in the Velux 5 Oceans race in appalling Southern Ocean conditions, thus ruining his own chances of winning the race.
Raymarine Young Sailor of the Year: 12 year old Laurence Greenough from Plymouth was presented with the prestigious title of Raymarine Young Sailor of the Year for his courage and determination to overcome adversity. After losing a leg in a boating accident he was back sailing in just two months in an unmodified boat, and is now part of the Royal Yachting Association South West Topper Zone Squad.
Notes to Editors:
· The Raymarine/YJA 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 2007. Raymarine Young Sailor of the Year awards British youngsters aged 18 and under (as at 31 December 2007), in possession of a British passport (or are immediately eligible to receive a British passport), who have made a significant impact on youth sailing.
· Raymarine/YJA 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 and Tracy Edwards, together with Dame Ellen MacArthur and Ben Ainslie who have both won the award twice.
· Raymarine/YJA 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.
· Raymarine Young Sailor of the Year award was first presented in 1993. Early winners include Dame Ellen MacArthur and Ben Ainslie - 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 Raymarine 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 Raymarine Young Sailor of the Year.
· Raymarine Young Sailor of the Year receives a trophy and Raymarine goodies.
· Raymarine is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of marine electronics for the recreational marine market.
For further information contact Chloe Bartle, UK Marketing Coordinator, +44 (0)23 9269 3611 Ext. 1395, email: chloe.bartle@raymarine.com or Alice Driscoll at ADPR, Tel +44 (0)1935 826451, Fax +44 (0)1935 826551 or by email: alice.driscoll@adpr.co.uk.
January 2008
