Monday 11 August 2008 - Nominations for the Raymarine YJA Yachtsman of the Year and Raymarine Young Sailor of the Year awards will open at 12.30pm on Friday 12 September 2008, on the Raymarine stand G88 at the PSP Southampton Boat Show. Current title holders Sir Robin Knox-Johnston (Raymarine YJA Yachtsman of the Year) and Laurence Greenough (Raymarine Young Sailor of the Year) are expected to be among those opening the call for nominations.
Nominations can range from a well-known figure in the yachting or power boating world - and eyes will undoubtedly be on the Olympic and Paralympic sailors during their events in Qingdao - to a commendable member of a local boating club.
Raymarine and the YJA (Yachting Journalists’ Association) are urging visitors to the PSP Southampton Boat Show to put forward candidates who they believe should be awarded for their achievements - such as breaking a world record, a phenomenal win, overcoming adversity, or showing exceptional bravery and courage.
The Raymarine YJA Yachtsman of the Year and Raymarine Young Sailor of the Year awards recognise sporting excellence and the tremendous achievements and bravery by the very best in British sail and power – the sportsmen and women who have made a significant impact in their chosen field, and helped position Great Britain as a top sailing nation. The Yachtsman of the Year trophy carries the names of many of the greatest achievers in British yachting and power boating circles.
Members of the YJA, the RYA, British Marine Federation, and many others involved in organising or supporting British boating, yachting, sailing and power boating will be on Raymarine’s stand to enter their nominations.
Following the PSP Southampton Boat Show, nominations can be made online at www.raymarine.com, www.yja.co.uk or using the nomination forms which can be found at RYA affiliated clubs nationwide. Nominations must be received before 7 November 2008.
Current title holders:
Sir Robin Knox-Johnston - Raymarine/YJA Yachtsman of the Year: 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, the oldest competitor to complete this feat.
Laurence Greenough - Raymarine Young Sailor of the Year: a promising young sailor, Laurence lost a leg in a boating accident in 2006 but, overcoming this adversity, was swiftly back sailing for his club in ordinary boats with no special adaptations. He is now a member of the RYA SouthWest Topper Zone Squad.
For further information contact Chloe Bartle, UK Marketing Co-ordinator, +44 (0)23 9269 3611 x1395 or by email at chloe.bartle@raymarine.com) or Alice Driscoll at ADPR, Tel +44 (0)1935 826451 or Fax +44 (0)1935 826551 or by email at alice.driscoll@adpr.co.uk
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 2008. Raymarine Young Sailor of the Year awards British youngsters aged 18 and under (as at 31 December 2008), 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.
- Nominations will be elected by the YJA and winners of both awards announced in January 2009.
- Raymarine is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of marine electronics for the recreational marine market.
Aug 2008 (RM523)
