Nominations for the Raymarine YJA Yachtsman of the Year and Raymarine Young Sailor of the Year awards will open at 12.30pm on Friday 12 September 2008, on the Raymarine stand G88 at the PSP Southampton Boat Show. Current title holders Sir Robin Knox-Johnston (Raymarine YJA Yachtsman of the Year) and Laurence Greenough (Raymarine Young Sailor of the Year) are expected to be among those opening the call for nominations.

Nominations can range from a well-known figure in the yachting or power boating world – and eyes will undoubtedly be on the Olympic and Paralympic sailors during their events in Qingdao – to a commendable member of a local boating club.

Raymarine and the YJA (Yachting Journalists’ Association) are urging visitors to the PSP Southampton Boat Show to put forward candidates who they believe should be awarded for their achievements – such as breaking a world record, a phenomenal win, overcoming adversity, or showing exceptional bravery and courage.

The Raymarine YJA Yachtsman of the Year and Raymarine Young Sailor of the Year awards recognise sporting excellence and the tremendous achievements and bravery by the very best in British sail and power – the sportsmen and women who have made a significant impact in their chosen field, and helped position Great Britain as a top sailing nation. The Yachtsman of the Year trophy carries the names of many of the greatest achievers in British yachting and power boating circles.

Members of the YJA, the RYA, British Marine Federation, and many others involved in organising or supporting British boating, yachting, sailing and power boating will be on Raymarine’s stand to enter their nominations.

Following the PSP Southampton Boat Show, nominations can be made online at www.raymarine.com, www.yja.co.uk or using the nomination forms which can be found at RYA affiliated clubs nationwide. Nominations must be received before 7 November 2008.

Current title holders:

Sir Robin Knox-Johnston – Raymarine/YJA Yachtsman of the Year: completed the Velux 5 Oceans race at the age of 68, thirty-eight years after his original (the first non-stop) solo circumnavigation of the world, the oldest competitor to complete this feat.

Laurence Greenough – Raymarine Young Sailor of the Year: a promising young sailor, Laurence lost a leg in a boating accident in 2006 but, overcoming this adversity, was swiftly back sailing for his club in ordinary boats with no special adaptations. He is now a member of the RYA SouthWest Topper Zone Squad.