Inner-city teen wins Young Sailor of the Year

A young sailor from inner-city London has won the Yachting Journalists’ Association (YJA) award for Young Sailor of the Year 2017.

Montel Fagan-jordan, 17, from Tottenham in north-east London, was given the prestigious award for his part in Project Scaramouche as lead helmsman during the Fastnet Race.

The school project saw a group of pupils from Greig City Academy fundraise, buy and restore an Admiral’s Cup yacht and race her in a number of regattas including Round the Island Race, Cowes Week, and the Fastnet Race.

Montel was lead helmsman on the yacht and calmly kept control on board, including helming at night under spinnaker in worsening conditions. On winning the award, he said, ‘I never thought I would be named Young Sailor of the Year. I couldn’t have done this without the backing of my parents, school, and our sponsors. Sailing is a huge part of my life now, but I know I’ve still got lots to learn.’

The YJA also recognised Alex Thomson with the Yachtsman of the Year Award for his achievement in the 2016/17 Vendée Globe Race. During the race, he set multiple records and only narrowly came in second place, despite losing one of his foils early on.

Alex saw off competition from Moth world champion Paul Goodison and 49er world champions Dylan Fletcher and Stuart Bithell to take the award.