PRESS RELEASE 28 August 2020
YJA MS Amlin Gala Awards Dinner 2020 Cancelled
With regret, the YJA MS Amlin Gala Awards dinner 2020 has been cancelled alongside a difficult decision taken not to present the Yachting Journalists’ Association’s Yachtsman of the Year, Young Sailor of the Year or Young Blogger of the Year Awards in September.
With consideration to the fact that Coronavirus is still spreading around communities, as well as the current social distancing guidelines in force, the committee have decided that hosting a dinner with several hundred prominent figures from the leisure marine industry is not possible. If an event were to have been held, it would not have been the relaxed, jovial and celebratory event intended.
In what should have been a fantastic year for sailing, with the inclusion of the Tokyo Olympics, Coronavirus has created an unprecedented situation. The postponement and cancellation of so many sailing events has made the 2020 YJA MS Amlin Awards unfeasible. 2021 looks set to be an action packed year with many events already in the calendar and even more rescheduled from 2020 so the competition for the 2021 Awards will be more intense than ever.
Paul Knox-Johnston, Business Development Manager – MS Amlin Boat Insurance said, “It is disappointing that the awards have had to be cancelled in 2020, but the safety of the YJA members and guests has to come first. Looking at the positives however, despite the curtailment of international sailing events, it has been great to see a resurgence of grass roots sailing and increased participation in wider water sports with the easing of lock down and a population keen to get out of the house to breathe fresh air and get fit. Hopefully positives can come from this challenging year and we will see future Yachtsmen and women of the Year awarded who took up sailing in this post lock down period.”
Cliff Webb, Chairman of the YJA said, “After the fabulous success of the YJA MS Amlin Gala Dinner last year, it is of course a huge disappointment not to be able to proceed this year, as we expected to build on this further, using the lessons learnt from this ‘new edition’ of these famous awards. Bringing together the ‘great and the good’ of the industry and the top stars from around the world of boating, was without any doubt, a glittering night enjoyed by all, and with MS Amlin’s support, we were looking forward to setting a new standard, but that will just have to wait until next year now given the circumstances’.”
2020 has been a difficult year for so many around the world and our thoughts are with all of those who have suffered due to Coronavirus. Both the MS Amlin Boat Insurance team and the YJA committee would like to thank everyone working tirelessly to care and protect those who are vulnerable and also those working on cures and vaccines for Coronavirus. We look forward to the YJA MS Amlin Awards returning in 2021, but stay tuned for a major announcement later this week about a new and exciting initiative from MS Amlin Boat Insurance and the YJA.
ENDS
About MS Amlin Boat Insurance
MS Amlin Boat Insurance has grown to become one of the UK’s leading boat insurance providers. MS Amlin covers the full spectrum of marine craft from a much loved family dinghy or dayboat, racing yacht, RIB, as well as all types of cruising and motor boats to brand new £multi-million superyachts in the UK, Mediterranean and further afield. With the backing of one of the world’s largest insurance groups, MS Amlin delivers service based on years of experience on the water to be able to genuinely understand our clients’ needs.
About MS Amlin
MS Amlin is a leading global (re)insurer, part of the global top-10 insurance group MS&AD, with operations in the Lloyd’s, UK, Continental European, US, Asia and Bermudian markets. With a 300-year record and c.1,800 people in more than 15 locations worldwide, we deliver a quality service for businesses facing the most complex and demanding risks. Our role places us at the forefront of the Specialty, Domestic and Reinsurance markets.
We are experts in underwriting, with both technical capability and deep knowledge of the areas we insure. Our claims service aims to set the industry reference point for quality, with efficient, fair and timely claims management.
For further information please contact:
Chris English (YJA) – secretary@yja.world – 07711 717470