The RYA has announced its Yachtmaster of the Year 2009 at the London Boat Show. HRH The Princess
Royal was on hand to present the award to Alexander Tilleray from
Esher, Surrey.

Alex,
27, was selected for the top award despite fierce competition from
almost 2,800 Yachtmaster candidates worldwide who qualified last year.
Alex took his Yachtmaster exam on 20 February 2009 and passed with
flying colours. 

The award winner has to rise to the top from
a raft of nominees who all show outstanding skills and knowledge as a
skipper. Candidates were entered by the RYA’s worldwide team of
Yachtmaster examiners.

His examiner, Peter Hart, said: ‘It is
not often that I come across a Yachtmaster candidate that I cannot
fault in some way but Alex is one of those rare candidates.’

The
RYA Yachtmaster of the Year trophy was donated by the Royal Institute
of Navigation and Alex also received a Spinlock Deckvest. 

A
delighted Alex said ‘I felt shock mostly when I found out that I had
won the award and I feel very proud and honoured. To be named the best
out of over 2,800 candidates worldwide is very rewarding, not just for
myself but to all those who have helped me along the way.

‘The
award goes to show that anybody is capable of winning. These days I
believe sailing has become more available to the public and more people
are taking the opportunity to try something new, which is great for the
sport.’

RYA Training Manager James Stevens said: ‘Alex was an
outstanding Yachtmaster candidate. He has exceptional ability as a
skipper, capable not only of managing yacht and crew to the highest
standards but doing so under the eye of an examiner. He was quite
simply the best of the 2800 candidates we examined in 2009.’