British solo yachtswoman Sam Davies has won the coveted title of YJA Pantaenius Yachtsman of the Year for 2009.
The announcement was made at an awards ceremony held at Trinity House, London. Portsmouth born Sam, now based in Concarneau, France, and a member of the Royal Southampton, was first placed Briton in the French Vendée Globe 2008/09 singlehanded non-stop round the world race in her Open 60 yacht Roxy.
The 36 year old was the first woman, finishing third overall. Recently she completed the Transat Jacque Vabre transatlantic race, finishing 10th with team mate Sidney Gavignet. She was also nominated for the ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Award last year.
The other finalists for the YJA Pantaenius Yachtsman of the Year award were Paul Goodison, World Laser champion, Olympic Gold medalist and five times European champion, and Ian Williams, the two times World Match Race champion.
Paul (32) is the only sailor worldwide to hold all three event titles at the same time and was also nominated for the ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Award. Ian Williams (32) became the first British National to be crowned Match Racing World champion in the event’s 19 year history. He won the title in 2007 and again in 2008 - A name to watch for in future America's Cup events.
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.
The YJA Pantaenius Yachtsman of the Year receives the prestigious Yachtsman of the Year trophy, a silver navigation buoy mounted on a sea of crystal, which was commissioned by the late Sir Max Aitken.