The 2016 boats.com YJA Yachtsman of the Year is Clipper Round the World Race hero Gavin Reid. Twenty-eight-year-old Gavin fought off tough competition for UK yachtings top accolade from Olympic gold medallist Giles Scott and two-time Isle of Wight course record breaker, Brian Thompson. The award is decided by votes by the Yachting Journalists Association, whose membership includes the world’s leading boating journalists and former winners include Sir Ben Ainslie, Dame Ellen MacArthur, Sir Robin Knox Johnston and Ian Walker.

In receiving the award, Gavin said, ““I can honestly say I did not expect to win. A year and a half ago I didn’t know the difference between a halyard, a sheet or a jib. So to be here today with so many amazing names and people who have achieved so much, it is quite astonishing.”

For the full story on the boats.com YJA Yachtsman Of The Year Awards and the video of Gavins amazing story, click here.