Yachting Journalists’ Association announces 2025 award winners

The Yachting Journalists’ Association has announced the winners of its 2025 Yachtsman of the Year and Young Sailor of the Year awards, which recognise performance and contribution within British sailing.

YJA chair Katy Stickland joined the finalists on the mainstage to confirm the results before a live audience.

Young Sailor of the Year Award 2025

The Young Sailor of the Year Award 2025 was presented jointly to Sabine Potter and Merle Nieuwland, and to Lila Edwards and Amelie Hiscocks. Both partnerships competed at the Youth Worlds in the 420 and 29er classes, and their performances were recognised by the judging panel in a competitive youth field.

Potter and Nieuwland say, “It’s pretty cool to be amongst these great names.” Edwards and Hiscocks add, “It’s really special to have our names cemented on this trophy. We have an amazing sense of pride.”

YJA Yachtsman of the Year 2025

The YJA Yachtsman of the Year 2025 title was awarded to Jazz Turner for a solo, non-stop and unassisted circumnavigation of the UK and Ireland in June 2025. Turner lives with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, a genetic, progressive condition which affects connective tissue throughout the body and requires constant and careful medical management. The condition means Turner is unable to bear weight on her legs, her joints are prone to dislocation, and she faces ongoing risks, including fainting, seizures and allergic reactions.

Turner completed the 2,070-mile circumnavigation after 28 days and 50 minutes at sea, becoming the first woman and first disabled person to complete the circumnavigation. She also raised over £50,000 for charity.

The judges cited the scale and nature of the voyage in reaching their decision.

On accepting the award, Turner says: “It is a real honour to be nominated, let alone to win. To be alongside the names on the trophy is surreal, but the award goes far beyond just what I did. It is about creating opportunities for all disabled sailors and showing that anything is possible with a little bit of imagination and an awful lot of hard work.”

Team of the Year 2025

A special certificate for Team of the Year 2025 was presented to Emirates GBR. The team became the first in SailGP history to win the Season Grand Final, the Impact League, and finish top of the overall season points standings.

Dylan Fletcher and Hannah Mills sent this message ahead of the next SailGP event: “Thank you so much for the win in the YJA Team of the Year Award this year. We’re gutted we can’t be there with you. It’s been a fantastic start to the season. The end of our season was amazing. And we’re looking to repeat. So, thank you for the support, and hopefully see a lot of you in Portsmouth.”

YJA chair Stickland says: “2025 has been an exceptional year for British sailing. The standard of nominations was extraordinarily high, making the shortlisting process and voting one of the most challenging we’ve faced in recent years. We also had one of the highest numbers of members voting, that in itself speaks volumes about the strength and depth of talent in our sport.

“Our winners represent not only outstanding performance, but dedication, teamwork and resilience. It was a privilege to celebrate their achievements on stage at the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show, and we are incredibly grateful to Henri-Lloyd for continuing their generous support of these awards.”

Chris Hammond, CEO at sponsor Henri Lloyd, says, “We’re delighted for Jazz. Henri-Lloyd has been supporting Jazz since 2023. We’ve been with her all the way, through thick and thin, and our performance clothing has assisted her in managing her issues with controlling her own temperature and helped her achieve this incredible feat.”

The presentation took place during the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show at Farnborough International.