Women take top sailing honours at British Nautical Awards

The winners of the e-peopleserve British Nautical Awards 2001 were revealed tonight, Friday 4th January 2002, at the most glamorous boating event of the year, hosted by well-known tv presenter Emma Forbes, with women making a clean sweep of all four top sailing Awards.

Internationally famous round the world yachtswoman Ellen MacArthur took the premier title and the most prestigious Award in British boating, the e-peopleserve YJA Yachtsman of the Year Award as well as the Challenge Business Offshore Yachtsman of the Year Award. Her outstanding performance in the Vendée Globe Single Handed Round the World Race astounded the boating world and captured the public's imagination with her inspirational achievement.[i]

Ellen adds the e-peopleserve YJA Yachtsman of the Year Award to the many accolades she has already received in 2001, including the Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year and being runner up to David Beckham for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year. Ellen said, "It is wonderful to be recognised again with the BNA's premier Award. However, I accept it on behalf of my team at Offshore Challenges, our title sponsor Kingfisher, and so many people from inside the sailing world who have helped me on my way since I stood here in 1995 as Young Sailor of the Year. Solo sailor maybe, but alone I have not been."[ii]

Vaughan Young, Chief Operations Officer for e-peopleserve, who presented the Award commented, "We feel privileged that e-peopleserve has been able to share the stage with Ellen. Her contributions to the sport, and 100% dedication and sheer talent set a standard to which we can all aspire, whether this is in sport, or any other facets of our lives."

Runners up for the e-peopleserve YJA Yachtsman of the Year Award were: Simon Curwen; Ian Sanderson & Peter Dredge.

Runners up for the Challenge Business Offshore Yachtsman of the Year Award were: Jo Burchell and Lorna Graham; Helen Tew.

The Rawlinson sisters, Emma (17) and Victoria (16), also claimed two Awards, including the MDL YJA Young Sailor of the Year Award and the WS Atkins Inshore Yachtsman of the Year Award for which they competed against top ranked adult sailors. Their natural talent and unflappable determination to win has brought them success this past year twice at world level competitions in the 420 Class; a gold medal at the 2000 Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championships held in Sydney, Australia, and a silver medal six months later at the 2001 Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championships in Crozon-Morgat, France. Having since joined the RYA's Olympic Development Squad in a 470, they are two of Britain's up and coming young hopefuls.

Commenting on their success, Emma Rawlinson said, "We are so thrilled to have won this prestigious Award tonight; to make it into the shortlist is, in itself, an honour. We are already training hard and looking forward to another good year as part of the RYA's Olympic Development Squad."

Runners up for the WS Atkins Inshore Yachtsman of the Year Award were: Stuart Childerley, Simon Russell, Nick Pearson; Nick Rogers and Joe Glanfield.

Runners up for the MDL YJA Young Sailor of the Year Award were: John Pink and Tom Weeks; Mark Powell.

The Peters Plc Power Yachtsman of the Year Award for outstanding performance in any type of powerboating competition went to world record breakers Ian Sanderson and Peter Dredge. In 2001, Ian and Peter captured a total of nine world endurance records for motor powered boats including having been the first team ever to set a 24-hour record. In a production Sunseeker XS2000 their achievements include becoming the first powerboat team to complete a circumnavigation of mainland Britain in less than 40 hours.[iii]

Runners up were: Steve Curtis; Mike Deacon, Chris Strickland and Jan Falkowski.

The Sunseeker Endeavour Award for outstanding contribution in any form of boating or the marine industry went to The Royal Yacht Squadron and was accepted on their behalf by Dr Jeremy Cuddigan, the Royal Yacht Squadron's Rear Commodore of Yachting. The Royal Yacht Squadron is credited with initiating and organising the celebration of the America's Cup Jubilee at Cowes last August, a once in a lifetime event.

Runners up were: Dickie Bradbeer; Helen Tew.

The Sealine Marine Media Award was won by Mad For Sailing, which provides up-to-the-minute, original and creative reporting to 'blue water professionals' and 'club racers' alike. The Editor, James Boyd accepted the Award.

Runners up were: 20x20 by Kos; Yachting World's coverage of the America's Cup Jubilee.

The Aqua-Star Explorer 70 clinched the Motor Boat & Yachting Motorboat of the Year Award. The Aqua-Star Explorer 70 has astounded many with its sophistication and timeless design. This 70-footer combines luxury and toughness to perfection, with thoughtful, practical details that make this boat stand out from the rest. Geoff Willson, Chairman of Aqua-Star Ltd and Chief Designer of the Explorer 70, accepted the Award.

Runners up were: Fairline Squadron 58; the Pascoe SportRib SR9.

LDC's RS K6 won the Yachting World Sailboat of the Year Award. This dinghy style keelboat has already impressed sailors with its high quality build specification and speed. The RS K6 is unique in that LDC has used CNC milled plugs for its hull and deck moulds, moulds cut by computers to ensure accuracy and symmetry and epoxy skins for a high strength to weight ratio - all in a competitive, affordable keelboat. An all-carbon rig maintains the high specification and the boat is quick to sail and easy for lightweight crews to handle. Martin Wadhams, Managing Director of LDC Racing Sailboats, accepted the Award.

Runners up were: Ker 11.3; Oyster 49.

Roger Graffy accepted the Honda Marine Environmental Award for the renaissance of Mylor Yacht Harbour. Roger spearheaded the development of this unique Cornish haven. The newly launched marina places the environment first, having been designed to replicate a natural harbour and blend in with the local community.

Runners up were: Chatham Maritime Marina and The Crown Estate Commissioners (Marine Estates).

The Yachting Gateway Marine Product of the Year Award was won by SP Systems' SPRINT Technology, a major breakthrough in structural composite engineering that promises to benefit boat builders worldwide.[iv] Paul Rudling, Managing Director of SP Systems, accepted the Award on behalf of the company.

Runners up were: McMurdo Manoverboard Wristwatch; Tacktick Microcompass.

Peter Nicholson, Chairman of the judging panel, said, "The calibre of our winners points to the progress being made in the British boating world, as well as its excellence. In particular, Britain is a force to be reckoned with in the worldwide boating arena, and it is important that we recognise this."

Guests to the e-peopleserve British Nautical Awards enjoyed an evening of champagne, a cordon-bleu dinner and entertainment into the night. Along with famous maritime personalities including Sir Chay Blyth, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, Ellen MacArthur MBE, Olympic Gold Medallist Shirley Robertson MBE, European Champion powerboat racer Sarah Donohue, guests were the first to know the live results of boating's most prestigious awards.

Register at www.britishnauticalawards.com to receive details of next year's event, as well as official notification when nominations open for the 2002 Awards.