The shortlist for the 2024 Yachtsman of the Year is as follows:
Ian Williams: Ian Williams is one of Britain’s most successful racers, having won the World Match Racing Tour title a record eight times. He also played a highly regarded coaching and rules role with the INEOS Britannia team in the 37th America’s Cup.
Heather Thomas: Heather Thomas skippered Maiden to first place in the 2023-2024 Ocean Globe Race – the first time an all-women crew have won a round-the-world yacht race. Her leadership and skills have helped break new ground in sailing equality.
Ellie Aldridge: Ellie Aldridge took Gold in the Formula Kite event at the 2024 Paris Olympics and brought home the only Gold medal for the British Sailing Team. Previously, she dominated the kite foiling circuit, and was part of the Athena Parthway Women’s America’s Cup Team.
The shortlist for the 2024 Young Sailor of the Year is as follows:
Jess Powell: Jess Powell took victory in the 2024 Topper 5.3 Nationals – the first female to win back-to-back National Championships in this class. She is also the Winter and Welsh champion. In the ILCA 4, she won the National Series, and came 3rd overall in the National Championships (Female National Champion). She also won the Inland Championships in the ILCA 6 Female fleet.
Hari Clark: Hari Clark began sailing in 2021 at Draycote Water Sailing Club and started racing in Autumn 2022. Having obtained an ex-John Merricks Sailing Trust-funded boat, he joined the Draycote Academy which teaches young sailors to compete at the highest level. He convincingly won the 2024 Topper 4.2 World Championship title, after winning 10 of the 15 races.
Jesse Opoku-Ware: Rising talent from the Scaramouche Sailing Trust and the Greig City Academy Sailing Programme, Jesse Opoku-Ware was the 2024 Cowes Week Youth Trophy joint winner with Kai Hockley. Jessye has been the backbone of the team’s success, organising and filling gaps as teammates pursued opportunities.
William Stratton Brown: Having finished 3rd in the RS Feva Worlds, Frensham Pond sailor William Stratton Brown went on to win the RS Tera Pro Worlds in Denmark a week later. His performance was exceptional, winning nine out of 12 races and coming second in two more. His final result was 11 points – an impressive 14 points clear of his nearest rival.