RORC News

2022 British Yachting Awards

2022 bya steve cole event of the year

RORC organised Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race won event of the year.

RORC Member Ellie Driver was voted Pantaenius Sailor of the Year.

28 November, 2022 (Knightsbridge, London) - The winners of the 2022 British Yachting Awards, organised by Sailing Today with Yachts & Yachting magazine, were announced yesterday evening at The Royal Thames Yacht Club. Voted for by the public, the RORC organised Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race won event of the year and RORC member Ellie Driver was voted Pantaenius Sailor of the Year.

The Sevenstar Round Britain & Ireland Race winning the 2022 British Yachting Awards Event of the Year, rounds off an excellent year for the RORC Race and Media teams. Race team member and Principle Race Officer Steve Cole represented the RORC to receive the trophy. The RORC was also Highly Commended in the category for the Outstanding Achievement Award.

“Organising an event like the Sevenstar Round Britain & Ireland Race requires a team of dedicated volunteers and professionals, so this award is for all of them,” commented Steve Cole. “Next year, the RORC are organising eighteen events both inshore and offshore. Right now, we are getting set for the RORC Transatlantic Race in January and the big event will be the Rolex Fastnet Race with online entry open on January 11th. 2023 is a very big year for the Royal Ocean Racing Club.”

2022 bya chilli pepper sun fast 3300 ellie driver

2022 Pantaenius Sailor of the Year, Ellie Driver is just 20 years old. Jim & Ellie Driver raced Sun Fast 3300 Chilli Pepper in IRC Two-Handed throughout the 2022 RORC Season’s Points Championship. Notably Chilli Pepper won the Morgan Cup overall under IRC and in August Ellie became the youngest ever skipper to finish the gruelling Sevenstar Round Britain & Ireland Race. Ellie is studying Maritime Engineering at Southampton University and sits on the RORC’s Griffin Committee, which was created in 1945 to encourage sailors into the sport of Offshore Racing.

“I am so happy and ever so grateful to everyone that voted for me. It was so nice to have my family at The Awards, they have all been so supportive. We will be celebrating with a bunch of friends in Southampton when we get back tomorrow! For 2023, myself and dad will race Chilli Pepper for the RORC Season’s Points Championship, including the Rolex Fastnet Race. After that it all depends on if I sit for a Masters at Southampton, if I do then the Rolex Middle Sea Race, RORC Transatlantic Race and Caribbean 600, may have to wait until 2024.”

2022 bya jangada

Richard Palmer & Rupert Holmes, who won the Sevenstar Britain & Ireland Race overall under IRC racing JPK 10.10 Jangada, were Highly Commended in the Sailor of the Year Award. Jangada, which was the overall winner of the RORC Season’s Points Championship, was also Voted RORC Yacht of the Year earlier this month.

2022 bya jim saltonstall

Congratulations to all the Prize Winners at the 2022 British Yachting Awards, especially Jim Saltonstall who received a Lifetime Achievement Award. Jim has always been involved with the Royal Ocean Racing Club especially in his role as lead coach for the RORC Easter Challenge.

Images: © Marcus Holdsworth/2022 British Yachting Awards



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