Jan 12, 2011

British yachtsman Geoff Holt MBE won the coveted title of YJA Pantaenius Yachtsman of the Year for 2010. The announcement was made at an awards ceremony held at Trinity House, London. Southampton based Geoff, 44, became the first quadriplegic to sail across the Atlantic when he sailed into the British Virgin Islands on January 7th 2010, overcoming personal adversity and achieving his own impossible dream. It took 28 days to complete the 2,700 mile voyage. Geoff was also the first disabled person to sail solo around Great Britain, he has been awarded an MBE for services to disabled sailing and is an honorary member of the Royal Southern Yacht Club, in recognition for his acheivements.

The other finalists for the YJA Pantaenius Yachtsman of the Year award were Edward Wright. Finn World Champion and double World Cup Winner. Edward is one of the true heavy hitters of the Finn class. This year he took first place in the Rolex Miami OCR , Trofeo S.A.R. Princesa Sofia MAPFRE, Mallorca, the North American Championship and the Finn Gold Cup in San Francisco. Lucy MacGregor and team. Ladies World Match Racing Winners. Having gained National, European and World Championship titles and rapidly risen through the ranks to lead the World rankings, Lucy MacGregor and her team are a promising prospect for the future of British sailing.

The trophy was presented by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, himself a three times winner of the award.

The YJA Pantaenius Yachtsman of the Year Award was initiated in 1955 by Sir Max Aitken and now bears the names of the greatest achievers in British yachting circles over the past five decades. Previous winners include Eric Hiscock, Sir Francis Chichester, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, Sir Chay Blyth, Sir Edward Heath, Clare Francis, Harold Cudmore, Tracy Edwards MBE, Sir Peter Blake, Dame Ellen MacArthur and Ben Ainslie CBE.