All genders are yachtsman in Britain

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. It’s a British focused organization which annually celebrates the YJA Yachtsman of the Year from a list of nominees.

Since its inception, the trophy bears the names of the greatest achievers in British yachting, and has gone to both men and women despite it recognizing the top yachtsman”. While Old English referred to man as a human being, modern usage notes, for example, that a fireman is a man. But not the YJA.

For her solo, non-stop, unassisted circumnavigation of the UK & Ireland, the YJA Yachtsman of the Year 2025 trophy was awarded to Jazz Turner from a short list of nominees. As a paralympic sailor and wheelchair user, Turner’s achievement earned widespread respect across the sailing community.