Hannah Stodel scoops Slingsby Ladies Day Trophy at AAM Cowes Week

2016 Ladies Day trophy winner Hannah Stodel receiving the Ladies Day Trophy from the previous year's winner Libby Greenhalgh © Paul Wyeth / www.pwpictures.com

Hannah Stodel, British Paralympic sailor, has been announced as the winner of the Slingsby Ladies Day Trophy at Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week. The trophy recognises the outstanding contribution, commitment, or achievement of women in sailing.

The annual Ladies Day returned to Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week on Tuesday 9th August with a number of celebrations culminating in the presentation of the Ladies Day Trophy to Hannah Stodel at an exclusive evening reception held at Northwood House.

The trophy was introduced for the first time in 2006 to champion the role of women in sailing and the sheer number of female competitors racing at Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week. There are some 8,000 competitors taking part in the regatta this year and around a third of them are female.

Hannah is a British Paralympic sailor who has represented GB three times in the summer Paralympics and, in September 2016, will compete once again with her team mates John Robertson and Steve Thomas representing GB at the Paralympics, having campaigned tirelessly for selection winning the Para World Sailing Championships in Melbourne along the way. Hannah is a wonderful ambassador for both women in sailing and disabled sailing. When she's not Sonar sailing she also lends her skills as a coach and tactician to The Sirens, a privately funded female yacht racing team dedicated to building a presence on the club circuit as a competitively focused all female team.

Commenting on her win, Hannah said: "I am over the moon. I just can't believe it. It is enough of a shock to be nominated, but to win is just amazing. It couldn't have come at a better time in the run up to Rio. It is such a confidence booster, and it has certainly made my Cowes Week. Thank you so much to whoever nominated me."

The judging panel for this year's Trophy was formed by 2015 Ladies Day Trophy winner Libby Greenhalgh Operations Director for the Magenta Project, Rosie Gosling, Sponsorship Executive at Aberdeen Asset Management, Elaine Bunting, Editor of Yachting World, and Cowes Week Limited's Kate Johnson.

Commenting on the evening Kate Johnson, CWL's Commercial & Marketing Director said: "We've enjoyed a fantastic evening and we were very pleased to announce Hannah as this year's winner. She is a shining example of what women can achieve in the sport of sailing and we will be following her performance in Rio with interest."

On the shore Slingsby Ladies Day at Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week was celebrated in style. Women showed their support for Ladies Day by wearing traditional seafaring navy-and-white stripes and enjoying gin & tonic giveaways from Slingsby.

Amy McLeod, Slingsby Marketing Manager commented: "We are delighted to be sponsoring Ladies Day this year and to be able to support women in sailing. We are also absolutely honoured to be here to announce the Ladies Day winner to the most inspiring female sailor."

Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week will conclude on Saturday 13th August. For more information please visit www.aamcowesweek.co.uk