The British Nautical Awards (BNA) today announced the 2001 shortlist, revealing the people, products, projects and boats that have made it into the final round in the most prestigious awards in British boating.
The BNA, considered the ‘Oscars’ of boating, recognise the best in British boating. See a selection from the shortlist below:
YJA YACHTSMAN OF THE YEAR:
Simon Curwen – Finished 2nd overall in the Transat 6.50 (better known as the Mini Transat) single-handed race held in two stages from La Rochelle, France to Lanzarote, Canary Islands and Lanzarote to Salvador de Bahia, Brazil. Sailing his 21-footer, ‘QDS’, Simon (42) was the first of six British entrants in the fleet of sixty, the first non-French finisher and the highest placed British sailor in the Mini Transat’s French history.
Ellen MacArthur – Finished 2nd in the Vendée Globe single-handed round the world yacht race, arguably the most challenging on the racing circuit, and became an instant celebrity at home and in Europe. At the age of 25, Ellen was the youngest competitor in the race and one of only two women in an entry of 24 taking part. More recent achievements include finishing 2nd, with co-skipper Alain Gautier, in ‘Kingfisher-Foncia’ in the Jacque Vabre Trans-Atlantic race from Le Havre to Bahia, Brazil thus securing the points necessary to win the FICO-Lacoste Skipper’s World Championship. Ellen is the youngest ever sailor and first woman to win this championship, as well as being only the second non-French winner.
Ian Sanderson and Peter Dredge – In 2001, Ian and Peter have distinguished themselves by capturing a total of nine world endurance records for motor powered boats including having been the first team ever to have posted a 24 hour record. In a standard, production, Sunseeker XS2000 their achievements include becoming the first powerboat team to complete a circumnavigation of mainland Britain in under 40 hours and for setting records for the fastest circumnavigations for five and ten laps of the Isle of Wight, as well as setting and then re-taking 6, 12, 18 and 24 hour records, eventually covering 1,100 nautical miles in 24 hours.
MDL YJA YOUNG SAILOR OF THE YEAR:
John Pink (18) and Tom Weeks (17) – In an overwhelmingly successful year John and Tom, sailing in the 29er class, came 1st overall in the World Championship in Kingston, Canada in addition to successfully defending their titles at both the National and European Championships.
Mark Powell (18) – Most notably this year, Mark won the Gold Medal in the highly competitive Laser Class at the Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championships in Crozon-Morgat, France. In addition, he was 1st at the Youth Nationals held in Largs, Scotland and qualified for the Gold Fleet in the Laser Standard Open Worlds in Cork. A member of the National Youth Squad, he has recently been invited to join the Olympic Development Squad.
Victoria Rawlinson (17) and Emma Rawlinson (16) – This highly competitive sister team, sailing in the 420 class, won the gold medal at the 2000 Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championships held in Sydney, Australia and a silver medal six months later at the 2001 Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championships in Crozon-Morgat, France. They have now joined the Olympic Development Squad in a 470.
CHALLENGE BUSINESS OFFSHORE YACHTSMAN OF THE YEAR:
Jo Burchell and Lorna Graham – Winners of the double-handed class and Brunskill Trophy in the 2001 Fastnet Race. Jo and Lorna were also the 1st British boat to complete this gruelling, offshore race – sailing against fully crewed boats.
Helen Tew – Realising her lifetime dream, Helen Tew (89) along with her son Donald Tew (60), sailed across the Atlantic twice in an inspirational voyage. Helen completed the voyage in a 26ft gaff-rigged cutter ‘Mary Helen’ that she helped her late husband design more than 60 years ago.
Ellen MacArthur – As detailed above, in the YJA Yachtsman of the Year category.