ISLE of Wight sailors Richard Palmer and Jeremy Waitt have been shortlisted for the Sailor of the Year accolade in the 2020 British Yachting Awards.

Isle of Wight County Press: Richard Palmer, left, and Jeremy Waitt celebrate winning the RORC Transatlantic 2019 race. Photo: Arthur DanielRichard Palmer, left, and Jeremy Waitt celebrate winning the RORC Transatlantic 2019 race. Photo: Arthur Daniel

The nomination comes straight off the back of Jeremy and Shirley Robertson winning the final race of the Royal Ocean Racing Club’s 2-H Autumn Series this week, on Richard’s JPK 10.10 Jangada, to take overall victory in the three-race series.

Shirley was standing in for Richard, still recovering from a knee operation.

Sailing Jangada, Cowes-based pair Richard and Jeremy were the first double-handed team to win the RORC Transatlantic Trophy.

Isle of Wight County Press: Jeremy Waitt and Shirley Robertson, who won the RORC 2-H Autumn Series on Jangada this week.Jeremy Waitt and Shirley Robertson, who won the RORC 2-H Autumn Series on Jangada this week.

Their achievement was made all the more impressive when, some 2,000 miles into the 3,000 nautical mile race, Jeremy fell overboard, but fortunately Richard was able to quickly recover him from the treacherous Atlantic waves.

The pair have some stiff competition for the award, with Sir Ben Ainslie, of Seaview, and Sam Davies, in contention for the award.

Isle of Wight County Press: Richard Palmer, left, and Jeremy Waitt celebrate winning the RORC Transatlantic 2019 race. Photo: Arthur DanielRichard Palmer, left, and Jeremy Waitt celebrate winning the RORC Transatlantic 2019 race. Photo: Arthur Daniel

Jeremy joked: “As if crossing the Atlantic wasn’t tough enough. Now we have to try to beat Sir Ben in a vote!

“Richard and I being nominated for the award is simply amazing and unexpected.

"Double-handed sailing has been very lucky with the current restrictions in place and has seen a big increase in participation.

"Alongside Covid restrictions, encouraging short-handed sailing, and the surge in participation at the top level, thanks to it now being an Olympic sport in 2024, has meant the quality of sailing is going up.

"So, for us to have won so much this year, is a great achievement.

"Winning the Transatlantic Race was, of course, a massive highlight, and to be the first double-handed and smallest boat to ever have won it, makes it special."

Voting is open, with category winners often decided by a few of votes. Voting closes on November 15.

To vote, go to: www.britishyachtingawards.com/vote-now/