The final, overall prizegiving this evening marked the end of another successful Skandia Cowes Week, and the end of an era as Skandia concluded their 14-year relationship as overall event sponsor.
Hundreds of competitors made their way to the Haven Events Centre at Cowes Yacht Haven to collect their well-earned silverware/Thomas Lyte crystal ware after an extremely tough and competitive week.
Cowes Radio presenter Dick Johnson and Skandia's Sponsorship Manager Tim Sewell ably carried out the marathon task of presenting competitors with their trophies which included the overall Black Group and White Group Trophy winners. Dean & Dyball (MG346 in Class 6), and Savage Sailing Team (J/80).
The Skandia Young Skipper's Trophy for the top performing yacht skippered by a young person under the age of 25 was presented to 21-year-old Sebastian Ripard sailing a J/80 AgainstMalaria.com. Ripard chatting about his win commented: "I am very excited to have won this prestigious award against so many other good, young up-and coming sailors particularly as it's our first time ever at Cowes Week. We had a lot of pressure on all week because the competition was tough but we were pleased have finished on a good note by winning today."
Chatting about his Black Group win, Ian Braham from Dean & Dyball said: "Last year we finished second in class so we are absolutely delighted to win this year. To be honest winning the Black Group was completely unexpected. Our aim was to win our class, and my fantastic crew worked incredibly hard to achieve that. Winning the Black Group wasn't even featured in our thinking, so to be presented with Corum watch this evening is unbelievable."
White Group winner Liz Savage sailing J/80 Savage Sailing Team added: "We had a cracking week and would like to thank everybody behind the scenes who made the event run like clockwork. It was a fantastic week on and off the water and we really enjoyed sailing in our own fleet for the first time."
One of the most notable prizes tonight was the The Britannia Salver presented to the crew of Benny Kelly's TP52 Panthera for their outstanding act of seamanship on Monday when they pulled from the water a member of crew from a boat in Class 1.
Next year's Cowes Week will take place from 1 to 8 August.