The inaugural British Yachting Awards were presented on Dec. 11, at The Royal Thames Yacht Club in Knightsbridge, London, U.K. Thousands of votes were cast by the readers of leading British sailing magazines Sailing Today and Yachts & Yachting magazines, with the Discovery 54 being named Bluewater Cruiser of the Year.
Editors Georgie Corlett-Pitt and Sam Jefferson greeted a buzzing crowd at the Royal Thames Yacht Club on Dec. 11, and celebrated a year of exceptional yachting deeds, with records falling left and right, new products that have impressed, and individual and team performances that set new standards.
And in the category of Bluewater Cruiser of the Year, sponsored by Culture Sailing, it was the Discovery 54 that took top honors.
The Discovery Yachts Group family of boat builders had other nominees at the ceremony as well: the Southerly 480 was nominated for Cruising Yacht of the Year while the Bluewater 50 was up for Multihull of the Year.
The entire Discovery Yachts line — from the 42 up to the award-winning 54 and all the way up to the 68 — and all of the brands in the Discovery Yachts Group are represented in the United States by S&J Yachts. With five offices on the East Coast from Maryland to Florida, S&J Yachts can help you get into your own Bluewater Cruiser of the Year, in 2018 and beyond. Give S&J a call at 410-639-2377 or email S&J at [email protected].
Other winners of the 2018 British Yachting Awards were:
- Event of the Year: Volvo Ocean Race
- Amateur Sailor of the Year: Maria Stanley
- Youth Sailor of the Year: Emily Mueller
- Pro Sailor of the Year: Dee Caffari MBE
- Racing Performance of the Year: Dongfeng Race Team
- UK Marina of the Year: Weymouth Marina and Portland Marina
- Charter Destination of the Year: British Virgin Islands
- Equipment Innovation of the Year: Weems & Plath CrewWatcher beacon and app
- Clothing Innovation of the Year: Musto D3O Impact System
- Dinghy of the Year: Flying Mantis
- Sportsboat of the Year: RS21
- Performance Yacht of the Year: J/121
- Cruising Yacht of the Year: Beneteau Oceanis 51.1
- Multihull of the Year: Lagoon 50
- Boatbuilder of the Year: Hanse Yachts
- Under 30s Outstanding Achievement: Nikki Henderson
- Outstanding Achievement: Tracy Edwards MBE
