RYA Regional Young Sailors Announced 

RYA Regional Young Sailors for 2009 have been announced.

The RYA Regional Young Sailor’s for 2009 have been announced. The award recognises sporting excellence in power or sail and acknowledges achievement of any sort such as a phenomenal win, overcoming adversity, or exceptional bravery.  Nominated by clubs across the country and voted for by each RYA Regional Committee they are awarded to youngsters under 18 as of 31 December.  

The RYA Regional Young Sailor Awards will be presented on the main stage at the YJA Pantaenius Young Sailor of the Year Award ceremony Saturday 9 January at the Tullet Prebon London International Boat Show together with the winner of 2009 YJA Pantaenius Young Sailor if the Year.

RYA Regional Winners

Eastern	Aaron Lowther and Steve Curtis
East Midlands	Alice Kent and Lucy Childs
Northern Ireland	Chris Eames
North East	Gary Rutherford
North West	Adam Purcell
Scotland	Callum Airlie
Southern	Phil Sparks and Ben Gratton
South East	Thomas Lambert
South West	Isobel Hamilton
Thames Valley	Sophie Hamilton
Wales	Hannah Tilley
West Midlands	Andrew Bridgman
Yorkshire and Humberside	Emma Labourne

Rod Carr, OBE, Chief Executive, RYA says:  “Winning an RYA Regional Young Sailor of the Year Award is a fantastic achievement. Sailing and power boating are great sports for young people and they are challenging both mentally and physically.

"The Young Sailor of the Year Award highlights just how many youngsters there are out enjoying the sport and achieving great things, I am delighted to recognise this through the award”  

YJA Pantaenius Young Sailor of the Year

The three finalists for the YJA Pantaenius Young Sailor of the Year Award have also been announced. Finalists include:    

Isobel Hamilton, who was 3rd overall in RYA Youth National Champions and Trials 09 and has been selected for the Skandia Team GBR Development Squad,  

Phil Sparks and Ben Gratton who won gold on their final day of the 2009 Volvo Sailing ISAF World Championship in Brazil and finally,  

 Aaron Lowther and Steve Curtis who have both won their age groups for the second year running in the Honda RYA Youth Rib Championship.  Coupled with this fine achievement both boys are excellent ambassadors for the event, the sport and their respective clubs.   

The vote for YJA Pantaenius winner now goes to members of the Yachting Journalists’ Association (YJA) in a secret ballot and will also be announced at the ceremony at Tullet Prebon London International Boat Show 2010.