YJA Yachtsman of the Year Award - Nominations launched

by June Hamilton on 15 Sep 2013 The search is on to find Britain’s top yachtsman of the year and the most promising young sailor of 2013. Nominations for the two awards were launched on Friday at the PSP Southampton Boat Show, and the first nomination was cast by former holder of the YJA Yachtsman of the Year title, quadriplegic sailor, Geoff Holt, MBE.

Award organisers, the Yachting Journalists’ Association also announced today that Apollo Boats Ltd will be sponsoring both awards for the next three years, with an option to continue by mutual agreement.

The awards are to be known as the YJA Apollo Boats Yachtsman of the Year Award and the YJA Apollo Boats Young Sailor of the Year Award. The nominations were launched at the Show by YJA hon secretary and former chairman, June Hamilton. Former winner Geoff Holt MBE, cast the first nomination during a short presentation at the Boat Show Media Centre.

June Hamilton, currently Hon. Secretary and sponsorship manager of the YJA (also a former chairman and treasurer) said: 'The entire membership of the Yachting Journalists’ Association is delighted with the new sponsorship arrangements between the YJA and Apollo Boats Ltd — and are much looking forward to working in partnership for the next three years or more, with such an exciting entrepreneur as Nick Davis and his management team. The YJA is particularly pleased that the sponsorship has been taken up by such an innovative maritime company based in Britain – a very suitable sponsor for our British Yachtsman and British Young Sailor of the Year.'

Nick Davis, Chief Executive Officer of Cowes based Apollo Boats Ltd said: 'We are delighted to be sponsoring the YJA Yachtsman of the year award and YJA Young Sailor of the Year awards. I know that the partnership will be a successful and rewarding to all those involved.'

Apollo Boats Ltd is launching its own new boat at this year's Southampton Boat Show and will be based at stand M201.

The new catamaran is unique within the market due to the large amount of deck space and stability provided by its asymmetric hull design. The 6m version offers over 80sq ft. of deck space meaning the boat is very easy to adapt to any requirement and is suitable for leisure, diving, research and military usage. It will also be available in sizes up to 12m in 2014.

Nominations for the YJA Apollo Boats Yachtsman of the Year and YJA Apollo Boats Young Sailor of the Year close on October 31, 2013.

Nomination forms are available at the media centre at Southampton Boat Show and may be downloaded here.