Four decades have passed since the winner of the Yachtsman of the Year award, presented annually by the Yachting Journalists’ Association (YJA), has also received a ‘keeper’ trophy.
But now, production has resumed thanks to the efforts of a key group within the marine industry to re-create the famous award in miniature.
Barry Pickthall, a former Chairman of the YJA, took on the challenge at the bequest of Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, a four-time winner, who received only one of the original keeper trophies in 1969 for his pioneering solo non-stop circumnavigation that year.
“I’ve won the Yachtsman of the Year award a further three times in 1994, 2007 and 2014 and wanted a miniature from each to leave to my four grandchildren,” recalls Sir Robin.
Barry takes up the story: “The cost of reproducing these beautiful scaled minatures, first commissioned by Sir Max Aitken back in 1955 when he launched the Yachtsman of the Year award, had become astronomical with quotes ranging from £2000-3,000 for each one. It was only when we approached key members within the yachting industry that the idea of utilising the latest 3D printing technology resolved the cost equation.”
Designer David Alan-Williams took Sir Robin’s original miniature and created a detailed 3D CAD drawing. This was passed on to Brian Haugh’s Foreshore Classic Marine at Dell Quay in Chichester Harbour for Brian Shayles to turn the wooden bases on his lathe. It, in turn, introduced the YJA to Roger Sparrow, owner of Ultimate Sports Engineering at Pulborough in Sussex, which manufactures bespoke carbon-fibre parts for Britain’s Olympic cycling and yachting teams. Staff used their hi-tech 3D printing expertise to produce the sea and buoy components.
“The final result is better than anything I could have expected. The new minatures are an exact replica of my first one,” says Sir Robin Knox-Johnston.
”Better still, these new trophies carry a personalised plaque on the base stating the year, event and name. A true memento,” he added.
The Yachtsman of the Year miniature trophies stand 20cm high and weigh 450 grams.
For further details, contact Barry Pickthall at:
barry@pplmedia.com
07768 395719