Sam Davies crowned

Top British Vendee Globe skipper is the 2009 YJA Pantaneus Yachtsman of the Year

Sam Davies was today announced as the 2009 winner of the YJA Pantaenius Yachtsman of the Year Award, following her fourth place finish in the 2008-9 Vendee Globe - the first British skipper and first woman home.

With Pantaenius taking over sponsorship of the awards from Raymarine this year, so the ceremony and lunch for the Yachting Journalists Association was held on this occasion in the historic setting of Trinity House, in a room over looking the Tower of London. The award was presented to Sam by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, himself a past winner.

Having first come to attention as one of Tracy Edwards' Royal & SunAlliance crew on their attempt on the Jules Verne Trophy, Davies has since mostly pursued a career as a singlehanded offshore racer. She has stuck rigorously to the 'French school' in this respect, first competing in the Mini Transat in 2001, then graduating up to the Figaro class, campaigning a boat backed by Skandia. During this time she was fortunate enough to be adopted by the Pol Atlantique, the famous Figaro sailing school in Port la Foret.



Having earned her stripes in the Figaro, in spring 2006 Davies received backing from women's fashion brand Roxy to take over as skipper of their Open 60. The team acquired the Open 60 that had won the 2000 and 2004 Vendee Globe in the hands of Michel Desjoyeaux and Vincent Riou and come the 2008-9 Vendee Globe against stiff competition, a fleet including nearly 20 new boats, the ancient Roxy forged her way through bringing her capable skipper home in fourth place.

Although born in Portsmouth, Davies has for several years lived in Brittany where she now resides in Kerlin.

Davies won this year's award ahead of Paul Goodison, the supreme force in the Laser class at the moment, having won Gold in Beijing in 2008 and Ian Williams, winner of the World Match Racing Tour in 2007 and 2008. Upon receiving the award Sam looked genuinely surprised and went to great pains to point out that although she was the skipper of Roxy she was merely part of team that was responsible for her results.

While she co-skippered Artemis Ocean Racing with Sydney Gavignet in the Transat Jacques Vabre last year, Davies is currently looking for a sponsor to build a new Guillaume Verdier designed Open 60 in which she hopes to win the 2012 Vendee Globe.

The YJA Pantaenius Yachtsman of the Year Award is open to any British resident who has made an outstanding achievement under sail or power [although a past winner was Eric Tabarly...) Initiated in 1955 by Sir Max Aitken, the trophy 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, Tracy Edwards MBE, Dame Ellen MacArthur and Ben Ainslie CBE.



Lloyd Hamilton, a veteran of the war in Afghanistan, who is Racing Manager for Toe in the Water, that introduces injured servicemen to sailing, was also presented with a YJA Special Certificate from Sir Robin Knox-Johnston.

Another recipient at the lunch was RYA CEO, Rod Carr OBE, who was presented with a ‘Special Award’ by the Yachting Journalists’ Association.

Carr was selected to receive the award, which is presented from time to time by the YJA, for his contribution to sailing and boating during his lifetime.

June Hamilton, Chairman of the YJA said: "Rod has made a huge contribution to our sport over the years and has been a great inspiration to a generation of sailors. With this in mind we wanted to present him with this special award in recognition of his achievements."

Presented with a specially engraved presentation box housing a pair of binoculars, which will come in useful for his sailing travels when he retires from the RYA in March this year, Rod said of his award: "I am very humbled to receive this award from the YJA. Throughout my career I have been lucky enough to work in an industry that I love and to receive an award for doing what is a true passion of mine is simply icing on the cake."

Rod joins a list of distinguished past recipients of the YJA's Special Award:
1995 - Jim Saltonstall, RYA National Racing Coach
1994 - George Johns, official photographer on board 'Enza', and Tim Severin, the celebrated marine adventurer
1993 - Chay Blyth, for services to yachting, and Michael Calvin, for services to yachting journalism
1992 - David Thomas, designer of many successful offshore racing classes
1990 - Major Peter Snowden for services to yachting on his retirement after 18 years as secretary to Cowes Combined Clubs
1988 - Bill Anderson - for services to yachting as RYA Training Manager
1985 - Bernard Hayman for services to yachting
1984 - Michael Richey for services to ocean racing and small craft navigation