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January 01 2007
Dee Caffari with the Raymarine YJA Yachtsman of the Year Trophy in the Painted Hall
Katie Miller receives the Young Sailor of the Year Award
Raymarine/YJA Yachtsman of the Year Award goes to Dee Caffari
Tuesday, 9 January 2007 – British round the world sailing heroine, Dee Caffari has won the much coveted award, Raymarine/YJA Yachtsman of the Year, for the world record she set as the first woman to sail single-handed, non-stop around the world against prevailing winds and currents. The announcement was made at a unique and moving ceremony attended by more that 100 maritime journalists and specially invited guests, in the Painted Hall, at the Old Royal Naval College , Greenwich , just across the river from the London Boat Show. Dee said she was greatly honoured to receive the Award and added that it was the first time since her overwhelming homecoming at Southampton,that she had had tears in her eyes. The Award was presented by Lady Pippa Blake, widow of the world's greatest yachtsman, the late Sir Peter Blake.
For Dee the world challenge was a long-held ambition. Having fulfilled her desire to be involved in round the world yacht racing, by skippering a yacht in the Global Challenge, she set sail on a more personal voyage, the Aviva Challenge - her 178 day solo circumnavigation. Departing in November 2005, Dee arrived back a hero in May 2006 to a triumphant homecoming into Southampton .
Shortlisted finalists for the Raymarine YJA Yachtsman of the Year Award also included 470 World Champions Nic Asher and Elliot Willis, the first British team to win the 470 World Championship since 1988; and Steve Curtis, who has won an unbelievable eight Class 1 World Championships and is considered the best international powerboat racer of all time – Steve is a previous Raymarine/YJA Yachtsman of the Year title holder.
Following nominations by the general public and Royal Yachting Association affiliated clubs the winner was selected by the voting of the Yachting Journalists' Association.
Raymarine Young Sailor of the Year :
Katie Miller was awarded Raymarine Young Sailor of the Year at the London Boat Show on Saturday 6 January 2007. Katie, who is studying Yacht Manufacture and Surveying at Southampton Solent University , wins the award for her single-handed circumnavigation of the UK in her boat Elektra earlier this year. Her inspirational three-month voyage raised funds for The Ellen MacArthur Trust to enable even more children suffering with cancer to experience the thrills and beauty of sailing. Katie's initial plans were formulated in 2004 when she passed her Day Skipper course in Minorca – after two years of hard work she successfully completed her challenge.
To view the ready made web album and download photos of the event please click here
