Samantha Davies wins yachtsman of the year award

Samantha Davies became the YJA/Pantaenius yachtsman of the year at Trinity House to reward her remarkable performance in being the third to finish in the Vendée Globe single-handed round-the-world race. Davies's performance against many male rivals was sufficient to set her apart from the other two nominees, Paul Goodison, the Olympic, world, European and national champion of the Laser class, and Ian Williams, twice the world match-racing champion. She stressed that it was teamwork that helped in her endeavours. "While out there alone, I never felt that way. I knew that members of my shore team were always on alert, even if they were in a nightclub, I knew that their mobile phones were on and I was in contact." In addition to her Vendée Globe triumph, Davies was also part of the drew that broke the round-Britain monohull speed record with Dee Caffari aboard Aviva.