BT British Nautical Awards - Category Winners

CATEGORY WINNERS ANNOUNCED

The results of the ten categories in the BT British Nautical Awards, dubbed the 'Oscars' of the British boating scene, were announced this evening during a special Millennium Boat Show Ball at the London Hilton, Park Lane.

BT YJA 'Yachtsman of the Year' and WS Atkins 'Inshore Yachtsman of the Year'

Ben Ainslie - for his worldwide domination of the Laser Class, the toughest single-handed dinghy class in the world. At just 22, Silver Olympic medallist, Ben Ainslie, is the youngest man ever to win this highly prestigious trophy in its 45-year history. He has achieved exceptionally high results and is currently the World, European, National, Asia-Pacific and Pre-Olympic Champion. His continued outstanding successes show him to be a remarkable and talented sailor, currently ranked number one in the ISAF Laser World Rankings. Ben previously won the 1998 YJA Inshore Racing Yachtsman of the Year as well as the BT YJA Young Sailor of the Year in 1995. He lives in Lymington, Hampshire and is currently campaigning for the Sydney 2000 Olympics.

The runners-up for the BT YJA 'Yachtsman of the Year' are: Adrian Stead from Hamble, Hampshire and Peter Little & David Arthur from Whitney, Oxfordshire.

The runners-up for the WS Atkins 'Inshore Yachtsman of the Year' are: Iain Percy from Winchester, Hants; Shirley Robertson from Hill Head, Hants and Tim Robinson from London.

MDL YJA 'Young Sailor of the Year'

Nick Thompson (13) - for his endeavour and achievement as a young sailor. Nick became the first British sailor to win the European Championship of the International Optimist Class at the Europeans in Athens, Greece. Other wins include the Flanders Youth Regatta in Belgium, the Irish National Championship in Cork, the O'Neill United 4 in the Netherlands and the RYA Eric Twiname Championship in Poole. Nick lives in Lymington, Hampshire and is a pupil at nearby Priestlands School.

The runners-up are: Bonnie Holt (17) from Southsea, Hampshire, Robby Swift (15) from Offham, Kent and Andrew Walsh (17) from Truro, Cornwall.

Challenge Business 'Offshore Yachtsman of the Year'

Adrian Stead - for his outstanding performance in the 1999 Champagne Mumm Admiral's Cup and the Mumm 36 World Championships. This season Adrian, 32, was tactician of Barlo Plastics, the Mumm 36 boat which won its class in the four-day Group 4 North Sea Regatta in Scheveningen, Holland in May and also achieved second in the Mumm 36 World Championships at Kiel, Germany in June. This exceptional achievement saw Adrian and his crew aboard Barlo Plastics also achieve top scoring yacht in the Champagne Mumm Admiral 's Cup regatta in July. Adrian lives in Hamble, Hampshire.

The runners-up are: Alex Thomson from Gosport, Hampshire and Mike Garside from Royston, Herts.

ABP 'Power Yachtsman of the Year'

Peter Little & David Arthur - for their outstanding power-boating performance in 1999. Driver, Peter (32) and navigator, David (32) from Witney, Oxon have raced successfully offshore for a decade. Establishing an enviable reputation in the Class III sub-division of Offshore Powerboat Racing, this year they won their second World Championship 2-litre title in Cowes, Isle of Wight. Driving the Mercury powered Mannerfelt, "City Offshore", Little and Arthur also won the European Championships in Venice. They had previously held the World title in 1997 where they also won the National Championship title.

The runners-up are: Nigel Frith from Staines, Middlesex and Craig Speller from Bedford, Bedfordshire

Sunseeker 'Endeavour Award'

Bill Anderson - for his unique contribution to the recreational boating world. Commander Anderson joined the RYA in 1972 and was the driving force in introducing the RYA Practical Cruising Scheme. A recognised expert on safety at sea, qualifications and proficiency of the pleasure boater, he is consulted by all the major UK and international marine organisations such as the Marine Safety Agency the RNLI and HM Coastguard.

His inspired leadership and administration has culminated in numerous schemes and examinations. He had a major impact on the Activity Centres Bill and, under his direction, the RYA department certifying vessels for the Department of Transport Codes of Practice has become the favoured route for such certification. He is secretary and administrator to the charity, the Association of Sea Training Organisations. Commander Anderson lives in Hayling Island, Hampshire.

The runners-up are: John Hart from Barry Island, South Glamorgan and Dennis Mossman from Goring-by-Sea, West Sussex.

Sealine 'Marine Media Award'

Basil D'Oliveira - Macmillan Nautical Almanac - for his continued outstanding compilation and production of the Macmillan Nautical Almanac, incorporating Reed's (previously the Macmillan Silk Cut Nautical Almanac). Basil D'Oliveira has been joint editor of the Macmillan Nautical Almanac, an annual compendium of life dependant navigational data for UK yachtsmen, since 1983. A well-known freelance navigational consultant and yachting journalist, he specialises in electronic navigation and communications. Basil, who lives in Wokingham, Berkshire, is currently Consultant Editor of Sailing Today magazine. He is a Fellow of the Royal Institute of Navigation and serves on a number of RYA and Government committees, including the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), where he looks after yachting interests.

The runners-up are:- Cowes Week Radio; Pete Goss - Close to the Wind; Matt Sheahan - Beyond the Point of No Return, Yachting World.

Motor Boat & Yachting 'Motorboat of the Year'

Sunseeker International Ltd: Predator 75 - for being the best motorboat that has been placed on the market by a British builder since the beginning of the year. The Predator 75 leads the way in Motoryacht design and production and combines traditional with the cutting edge technology that Sunseeker is famous for.

With options to tailor-make it to suit individual needs, the Predator 75 is a Motoryacht in which every detail has been thought of. It will out perform any production craft, having astounding speeds between 34 and 50 knots (depending on the engines and configuration) and includes the option of Arneson Surface drives. (Naval Architecture: Don Shead/ Sunseeker Design; Exterior Design: Sunseeker Design; Interior Design: Ken Freivock Design).

The runners-up are:- Fairline Phantom 46; Hunter Boats, Landau 20; Sealine, S41 and Vulture Venture Inflatables, Sport Rib 8000.

Yachting World 'Sailboat of the Year'

Oyster Marine Ltd: Oyster 53 - for being the best sailboat that has been placed on the market by a British builder since the beginning of the year. Designed using the layout of sister boat, Oyster 56, in order to produce a smaller boat with four practical sleeping cabins, the Oyster 53 keeps the strong family style whilst modernising the appearance. Sleek lines ensure one of the prettiest models both above and below deck.

Performance and handling under sail and power are well above average, gaining from the undoubted skill of designer Rob Humphreys whose Whitbread and World Championship winning race designs have established his reputation for safe, fast yachts. Built to meet Design Category A - 'Ocean'.

The runners-up are:- Laser Stratos and Rustler Yachts (UK) Ltd: Rustler 42.

IBI 'Marine Product of the Year'

Spinlock Ltd: PX Powercleat - for producing a PX Powercleat that is both an innovative, attractive and useful marine product. It is the biggest improvement in cleating in a generation, offering a stronger and more reliable cleat that is easy to use when under load. By angling the line up or down, the PX Powercleat always releases and locks easily, enabling the boat to trim more, sail closer, de-power faster and stay in better control. It provides the faster and safer solution for hand-cleated loads from sports boat to grand prix racer.

The runners-up are:- ICS Electronics Ltd/Navico: ICS VHF3/DSC3 - Simrad Navico RT 1400/DSC1400; McMurdo Ltd: SOS Rescue 406 MHz EPIRB and Tacktick Ltd: TackTick Race Master.