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January 7 2006
Ellen MacArthur makes it a treble
Dame Ellen MacArthur achieved yet another first on January 6 when she won the prestigious Raymarine YJA Yachtsman of the Year award for the third time after smashing the record for the fastest, non-stop, solo sailing voyage round the world. The feat, which Ellen achieved in February last year, made her headline news around the globe and captured the imagination of the public worldwide. Appearing in her capacity as President of the Royal Yachting Association, Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal presented the award as the highlight of IPC Media's inaugural Marine Awards ceremony at London's Old Billingsgate on the opening day of the Boat Show. With Ellen currently on a six-week field trip studying albatrosses in South Georgia, the trophy was accepted on her behalf by her manager Mark Turner. Her Royal Highness also presented the Raymarine Young Sailor of the Year award to sailing heroes Craig Paul, Sam Coombs and James Hopson for an amazing act of bravery and seamanship at the Scottish 29er Championships on Loch Lomond in September. The three young sailors, Craig Paul (17 from Duror and a sailor at the Lochaber Yacht Club), Sam Coombs (15 from Clevedon, member of the Clevedon Sailing Club) and James Hopson (16, from Wrexham and a member of the Shotwick Lake Sailing Club), rescued Nell Hardie from almost certain death while out sailing their 29ers after the race.  Nell was sailing with Craig Paul when their boat capsized, trapping her underneath with the trapeze wire wrapped round her neck, and strangling her. During the incident, the boys kept their heads, remained calm and handled the situation efficiently, managing to bring Nell safely back to shore and resuscitate her, before she was taken to hospital. If the boys had not acted so promptly Nell would have suffered severe trauma and probably would not have survived.
Mark Turner, left, accepts the 2005 Raymarine YJA Yachtsman of the Year award on behalf of winner Dame Ellen MacArthur, while below HRH the Princess Royal hears from the winners of the Raymarine Young Sailor of the Year award, Craig Paul, Sam Coombs and James Hopson.