January 22, 2008: Record-breaking sailor wins UK Yachtsman of the Year title for the third time

Clipper Ventures Chairman Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, CBE, today cemented his reputation as one of the most iconic sailors in history when he was awarded the Raymarine / YJA Yachtsman of the Year Award 2008. Following his amazing exploits in last year's VELUX 5 OCEANS, a single-handed race around the world race, he made history yet again as he claimed the title of UK Yachtsman of the Year for an unprecedented third time.

Sir Robin first won the accolade in 1969 in recognition of his achievement in becoming the first man to sail solo and non-stop around the world in the Sunday Times Golden Globe Race. In 1994 he was awarded the title for a second time with Peter Blake for the fastest circumnavigation to win the Jules Verne Trophy.

The prestigious Yachtsman of the Year trophy was presented to Sir Robin by Peter Blake's widow, Lady Pippa Blake, at a gala luncheon in the magnificent Painted Hall, Greenwich. On receiving the award Sir Robin said: "I wasn't expecting this, it has come as a complete surprise."

Nominated alongside disabled sailor Geoff Holt, Skandia GBR Team members Sarah Ayton, Sarah Webb and Pippa Wilson, and fellow VELUX 5 OCEANS competitor Mike Golding, Sir Robin said it was a tremendous honour to be chosen from such a great group of people. "It is the UK's top yachting trophy and something I'm very proud of winning."

The prestigious award, which is elected by a ballot of members of the Yachting Journalists' Association following nominations received from members of the boating public, reflects the huge popularity of the legendary mariner after he finished the gruelling 30,000 miles of the VELUX 5 OCEANS 2006-07. Sir Robin entered the classic yacht race onboard his IMOCA Open 60 Saga Insurance, and inspired people around the world by taking on and completing 'The Ultimate Solo Challenge' in his sixties, celebrating his 68th birthday whilst at sea alone.

Peter Methven, President of the British Marine Federation, said he was delighted to bestow a lifetime award of honorary membership to Sir Robin for his outstanding services to yachting and the British Marine Industry.

"Over many years Sir Robin has promoted boating in the United Kingdom. His sense of adventure, bravery and common-sense approach to seamanship, plus his extraordinary determination has been a magnificent example to the younger generation," Methven said.

Sir Robin was one of only four sailors to get round the VELUX 5 OCEANS course, despite being nearly twice the age of the other competitors. Battling persistent technological problems onboard Saga Insurance, he succeeded through sheer sailing ability and seamanship. The Master Mariner only took ownership of the boat a few months before the start of the race and faced an uphill battle to make the start line. Setting out from Bilbao (Basque Country, Spain) in October 2006, he was ravaged by the Bay of Biscay storm that smashed through the fleet and was forced back to land to make repairs to his yacht.

The initial pit-stop in Spain was just the first of many blows of bad luck that failed to dampen the spirits or resolve of the Knight of the High Seas. The first leg of the race to Fremantle, Western Australia saw Sir Robin take a dip in the Southern Ocean to remove seaweed from his keel, whilst only 24 hours after starting the 14,500 mile second leg to Norfolk, Virginia, he was forced to return to port to repair a faulty autopilot system. He battled round Cape Horn for the probably the last time in his illustrious career and arrived in the United States with a chance of finishing third after the abandonments of Mike Golding and Alex Thomson.

The last leg, a sprint from Norfolk back to Bilbao, was a straight battle with Unai Basurko for third place overall, which the Spanish skipper claimed by a few solitary hours, despite Sir Robin arriving into port ahead of the local Basque hero. However, nothing would take away from the overall achievement of Knox-Johnston, who created a cult following around the world. He took sailing beyond its normal realms as his amazing story appealed to young and old across the planet. The global media impact he created wherever he went reflected the affection in which he is held by both sailing aficionados and those who acknowledge his human achievement.