Shortlist announced for Yachtsman of the Year

YJA Stoneways Marine Yachtsman of the Year, Young Sailor of the Year and Young Journalist of the Year 2021 shortlists have been announced.

The Yachting Journalists’ Association Committee has received many nominations from the public, YJA members and top sailors from the industry. The YJA Committee deliberated over the list of nominated sailors for this year’s awards and have produced the shortlists for the coveted awards:

YJA Stoneways Marine Yachtsman of the Year

• Hannah Mills

Mills won Women’s 470 gold with crew Eilidh McIntyre at Tokyo 2020 to add to her gold medal at Rio 2016 and silver at London 2012, making her the most successful female Olympic sailor in history.

• Pip Hare

Hare’s prowess as a skilled yachtswoman was never in doubt, but the human-interest aspects of her very personal race were fascinating, inspiring, and will have broadened the sailing audience.

• The Team GB Olympic Sailing Squad – Tokyo 2020

With three gold medals, two silvers and one bronze, the Team GB Olympic Sailing Squad was the most successful sailing nation at Tokyo 2020. There were stand-out performances throughout, with some incredible results against worldwide legends of the sport.

YJA Stoneways Marine Young Sailor of the Year

• Katie McCabe

At 14 years old, McCabe is the youngest person to sail solo around Great Britain sailing in a 26′ wooden Morgan Giles boat, Falanda.

• Lucy Kenyon

1st girl in the Youth IQ Foil windsurfing class at Porthpean and Weymouth, 5th in the iQFoil Youth Worlds held in July at Lake Garda.

• Millie Irish & Jess Powell

Winners of the RS Feva Nationals.

YJA Stoneways Marine Young Journalist of the Year

• Katie McCabe

For her blogs of her record-breaking solo journey around Britain.

• Timothy Long

Recently sailed around Britain and wrote engaging blogs of his experience.

Clifford Webb, chairman of the Yachting Journalists’ Association, says: “YJA members may now cast their votes for the nominees in the three categories, and what a stellar line-up this is. We received the largest number of nominations for many years, and it’s perhaps no surprise that the Olympics proved popular, given the performances of the sailors involved in Japan this year.

“The YJA Stoneways Marine Young Sailor of the Year award is also hotly contended, with lots of nominations received, and therefore a challenge to eventually decide on these talented final three nominees.

“The YJA Committee was delighted to see the interest in our new perpetual award for the Young Journalist of the Year, with these youngsters starting out on their media careers, and who we hope will be receive a huge boost from being recognised and nominated for the award. It is shaping up to be a spectacular evening in Southampton next week.”

Visit the YJA website for information on how to attend the event.