Entries open for Marine YJA Yachtsman of the Year & the Young Sailor of the Year 2021

Nominations are now open for the Stoneways Marine YJA Yachtsman of the Year and the Young Sailor of the Year 2021.

These awards are some of the most prestigious in UK yachting, having been established in 1955 and awarded to people such as Sir Ben Ainslie, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, Dame Ellen MacArthur, Steve Curtis MBE, Dee Caffari MBE, Rodney Pattisson MBE, Sir Chay Blyth and Tracy Edwards MBE.

Anyone can make a nomination for the awards. Major event wins are often recognised but as are great acts of seamanship, such as Clipper Race crew member Gavin Read’s heroics during the Rolex Sydney Hobart Race, earning him the trophy in 2016.

Read’s Clipper race boat Mission Performance answered an SOS from a yacht racing in the Sydney Hobart where a crew member was stuck at the top of the mast and his fellow crew were too ill to assist.

Gavin volunteered to swim between the two yachts, hoisted himself up the swinging mast and spent two hours untangling lines until the crewman was freed. Gavin then proceeded to lower the man down the mast.

To qualify for the awards, the nominee must be the holder of a British passport. For the Young Sailor award, the nominee must be under the age of 19 on December 31st 2021. The nomination period closes at midnight on Sunday 29th August.

“With the world warily opening to events again this summer, it’s been wonderful to see people back on the water around the world, with many striving for the ultimate prizes in their chosen sport,” says Cliff Webb, chairman of the Yachting Journalists’ Association. “Given that the Tokyo Olympics are happening right now, still with medals to be decided, it’s perfect timing for our award nomination period, enabling people to also include British achievements at the Games in these nominations, should they wish to.” 

The Stoneways Marine YJA Yachtsman of the Year and the Young Sailor of the Year Awards will be presented during a gala dinner at the Grand Café Southampton on 10 September, following on from press day at the Southampton International Boat Show. Limited tickets are available for this event for YJA members and for non-members, contact the YJA Secretary, Chris English.

“It can be any form of boating that you feel is worthy of a nomination, not just sailing; both men and women of course,” continues Webb. “This list of winners dating back to 1955 is truly remarkable, and the gala dinner in September is set to be a tremendous evening of celebration.”

Keith Lovett of Stoneways Marine adds: “Acknowledging the Yachtsman of the Year and the Young Sailor of the Year Awards as the pinnacle of our sport, we are delighted to support this year’s nominations as being as important as ever. Following global disruption not experienced in recent decades, achievements over the last year have been inspiring in so many ways and it is only right that they are recognised.”