18-year-old Katie Miller, who in July completed a singlehanded voyage round Britain, has won the Raymarine Young Sailor of the Year award.

Two years after gaining her RYA Day Skipper qualification in Menorca, Katie set off round the UK in her 21ft Corribee Elektra to raise funds for the Ellen MacArthur Trust. Three months later she arrived back in the Hamble, Hampshire, having raised £7,683.

Katie was presented with the award at the London Boat Show by singlehanded yachtswoman Dee Caffari, who is a nominee for the RYA/YJAYachtsman of the Year award to be announced on Tuesday.

Katie beat off stiff competition from Olympic Development Squad sailor Dylan Fletcher, Tom Phipps – one of GBR’s most successful youth sailors – and young watersports instructor Dan Simpson.

Commenting on the award, Katie told PBO ‘It’s really a great honour to win an award like this, especially when Ellen MacArthur and Ben Ainslie have won it before me. It’s an amazing feeling.’

Find out about Katie’s highs and lows and her favourite UK ports in next month’s Practical Boat Owner.

Photo: onEdition