London (27 February 2025) Great Britain’s Ian Williams, eight-time match racing world champion, has won the 2024 Yachting Journalists’ Association (YJA) Yachtsman of the Year, awarded during the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show in London.
Williams has made history in the world of match racing, securing an unprecedented eight World Match Racing Tour titles. His influence extends beyond racing, as he played a key coaching and rules advisory role with the INEOS Britannia team for the 37th America’s Cup, further cementing his status as one of the sport’s most respected figures.
In a video message from South Africa, Williams said: “It’s an incredible honour to add my name to such an illustrious list and also shine a bit of a light on my corner of the sport. I would like to thank the YJA and everybody who voted for me. Secondly, my family for their incredible support over many, many years; it’s not easy. Thirdly, the sponsors who have allowed me to compete over the years, and especially, of course, Andrew Pindar, who was with me for my first back in 2007, and also the last and many in between. And finally to my crew. Match racing really is a team sport, and it’s been such a privilege to sail with Richard Sydenham, Gerry Mitchell and Jon Gundersen this year,”
In recognition of the performance of Sir Ben Ainslie’s British Challenger Team for the 37th America’s Cup, the YJA chose to present a special award for Team of the Year. Dylan Fletcher, helm of Britannia, received the award on behalf of the British Challenger Team for becoming the first British team since 1964 to race in the final for the America’s Cup.
A true inspiration in youth sailing, Jessye Opoku-Ware was also awarded the 2024 YJA Young Sailor of the Year for his outstanding contributions to the Scaramouche Sailing Trust and Greig City Academy Sailing Programme.
Jessye was the 2024 Cowes Week Youth Trophy joint winner and has played a pivotal role in coaching younger sailors, encouraging diversity in sailing, and facilitating opportunities for young sailors.
Katy Stickland, Chairperson of the YJA, praised the winners: “The YJA Awards celebrate the very best in sailing, and the nominees and winners showcase a remarkable 2024 for British sailing. This year is the YJA’s 70th year; it is also 70 years since we awarded the first Yachtsman of the Year Award to one Eric Hiscock for his round the world voyage with his wife, Susan on their famous yacht, Wanderer.”
ABOUT THE YJA
The aim of the Yachting Journalists’ Association is to promote greater awareness of all aspects of leisure boating through the professional services offered by its members. The YJA represents hundreds of specialist marine journalists, photographers, TV and radio presenters and Web editors across all the major sailing and boating regions in the world.