July 2006 ~ Voting for the prestigious Raymarine YJA Yachtsman of the Year, and Raymarine Young Sailor of the Year awards, will open at 12.30pm on Friday 15 September at the Southampton Boat Show, on the Raymarine stand, G088.
Both awards recognise British sporting excellence in power or sail and acknowledge achievement - such as breaking a world record, a phenomenal win, overcoming adversity, or showing exceptional bravery and courage.
Members of the Yachting Journalists’ Association, the RYA, British Marine Federation, and many others involved in organising or supporting British boating, yachting, sailing and power boating will also be on Raymarine’s stand to enter their nominations, along with visitors to the Southampton Boat Show.
With major feats achieved, and training and preparations underway for the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, yachtsmen and women such as Mike Sanderson, Dee Caffari and Giles Scott could be strong candidates. But with outstanding achievement in any capacity being the main criteria for short-listing, the list is wide open for the contenders of this year’s Young Sailor of the Year award.
It’s quick and easy for anyone to enter nominations. From 15 September nominations can be entered directly from www.raymarine.com and www.yja.co.uk. Alternatively pick up a nomination form at the Southampton Boat Show, sailing clubs nationwide, or from RYA affiliated clubs.
Raymarine YJA Yachtsman of the Year and Raymarine Young Sailor of the Year will be announced in January 2007.
Notes to Editors:
• Dame Ellen MacArthur is the outgoing Raymarine YJA Yachtsman of the Year title holder. Craig Paul, Sam Coombs and James Hopson are the outgoing Raymarine Young Sailor of the Year.
• 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 2006. Raymarine Young Sailor of the Year awards British youngsters aged 18 and under (as at 31 December 2006), 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 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 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 voted on by members of the Yachting Journalist’s 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 Raymarine information contact Emma Sims, Raymarine Marketing Co-ordinator, at +44 (0)23 9269 3611 Ext. 1395 or
emma.sims@raymarine.com; or Chrissie Williams/Alice Driscoll ADPR, Tel +44 (0)1935 826451 or Fax +44 (0)1935 826551 or by email at alice.driscoll@adpr.co.uk.
This text can be downloaded from www.adpr.co.uk.
July 2006 (RM344)
