The finalists of the 2009 YJA Pantaenius Yachtsman of the Year and YJA Pantaenius Young Sailor of the Year awards have been announced. The vote for the overall winner now goes to the members of the Yachting Journalists’ Association (YJA) in a secret ballot. The winner of each award will be revealed at two separate ceremonies during the Tullett Prebon London International Boat Show in January 2010.

Photo: Team GBR welcomed back to London after the 2008 Olympics in China

The list of YJA Pantaenius Yachtsman of the Year finalists includes Paul Goodison, World Laser champion, Olympic Gold medal and five times European champion. Paul is the only sailor worldwide to hold all three awards at the same time and was nominated for the ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Award. Sam Davies, first placed Briton in the Vendee Globe 2008/09. Sam is currently sailing the Transat Jacque Vabre race and was also nominated for the ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Award. Finally, Ian Williams. Two times World Match Race champion. Ian became the first British National to be crowned Match Racing World champion in the event’s 19 year history.

Finalists for the YJA Pantaenius Young Sailor of the Year includes Isobel Hamilton. In April 2009 Isobel was third overall in the RYA Youth National Champions and Trials 09`, securing her a place in the team for the ISAF games. In July she took silver in the ISAF Games in Brazil. One week later in the RS:X Youth Worlds in Turkey she took Gold. Isobel celebrated her 17th birthday in August whilst competing in the IWA Worlds in Portland, taking Gold again. Phil Sparks and Ben Gratton. They won Gold in their 420 on the final day of the 2009 Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championships in Brazil. They also won first place in the Kiel Week regatta and third place in the 420 Class Worlds at Lake Garda. Finally, Aaron Lowther and Steve Curtis. Both have won their age groups 13 to 16 years olds and 8 to 12 year olds respectively for the second year running in the Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship.

Winners of both awards will be voted for by the Yachting Journalists’ Association. The YJA Pantaenius Yachtsman of the Year will be announced at an awards ceremony on Tuesday 12th January 2010 at Trinity House, Tower Hill, London.

The YJA Pantaenius Young Sailor of the Year Award will be announced at 17:00 hrs on Saturday 9th January 2010 at the Tullett Prebon London International Boat Show at ExCel on the main stage. RYA Regional Winners will also be presented with their awards at the ceremony.

RYA Regional Winners are:

Eastern: Aaron Lowther and Steve Curtis*
East Midlands: Alice Kent and Lucy Childs
Northern Ireland: Chris Eames
North East: Gary Rutherford
Scotland: Callum Airlie
Southern: Phil Sparks and Ben Gratton*
South East: Thomas Lambert
South West: Isobel Hamilton*
Thames Valley: Sophie Hamilton
Wales: Hannah Tilley
West Midlands: Andrew Bridgman
Yorkshire and Humberside: Emma Labourne
North West: Adam Purcell

*Also finalists for the YJA Pantaenius Young Sailor of the Year Award.