Nominations open for YJA Yachtsman of the Year
Nominations for the YJA Yachtsman of the Year and the YJA Young Sailor of the Year awards are now open for 2022.
These awards are some of the most prestigious in UK yachting, having been established in 1955 and awarded to many of the great names in sailing and boating, including Sir Ben Ainslie, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, Dame Ellen MacArthur, Steve Curtis, Dee Caffari, Rodney Pattisson, Chay Blyth, Tracy Edwards and, most recently, Pip Hare.
Anyone can make a nomination for these awards. To qualify, 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 31 December 2022.
The nomination period closes at midnight (GMT) on 11 December 2022.
Stu Bithell, Katie McCabe with her YJA Stoneways Marine Young Sailor of the Year 2021 trophy, and Shirley Robertson OBE
Mark Jardine, vice-chairman of the Yachting Journalists’ Association (YJA), says: “These two trophies are the most coveted in British sailing, and we at the YJA would love as many nominations as possible to make choosing a shortlist and winner very hard for our members.
“There have been some exceptional performances by British sailors in 2022, so please send through who you think deserves recognition for their performance or actions on the water.”
Nominations are also open for the YJA Young Journalist of the Year, an award that is designed to encourage those just starting out in the industry and offer them recognition for their work, which can be in any medium.
Cliff Webb, chairman of the YJA adds: “These awards are recognised and appreciated worldwide, and seen as an enormous source of pride by former winners. Nominees may come from any form of boating, not just sailing, both men and women of course. The list of winners dating back to 1955 is truly remarkable, and it will be fascinating to see who will have their name added to this extraordinary roll of honour.”
Arrangements for the presentation of the awards will be announced in due course.
