Dorset Sailor Named 'Athlete Of The Year'

26 November 2013, 09:34 | Updated: 26 November 2013, 09:37

Olympic windsurfing star Bryony Shaw has capped off her impressive 2013 season by claiming the British Sailing Team's 'Athlete of the Year' prize.

The 30-year-old was handed the BOA Athlete of the Year trophy for Sailing at a team presentation at Hayling Island Sailing Club. 

Having claimed an impressive seven podium finishes from the nine events she's contested this year, including her first ever RS:X World Championship medal (a silver) from the event at Buzios, Brazil, in March. 

After a tough 2012 season, with illness having hampered her Olympic hopes, Shaw was overjoyed with her consistency and success in 2013, and on receiving her award from RYA Olympic Manager Stephen Park, she paid tribute to the team around her who have helped her get back on track this season. 

"It's a complete surprise as I thought Nick [Dempsey] would win this award, but it's fantastic!" 

"2012 was obviously a really difficult year for me, but I'm really grateful to my coach Dom [Tidey], the sports science guys, Izzy [Hamilton] and my little training group. We've got a good team there all pushing each other on and it's really paying off with results on the water." 

Two of the British Sailing Team's rising stars - Finn sailor Peter McCoy and Laser sailor Alex Mills Barton - were also voted by their peers as the joint winners of the Podium Potential Sailor of the Year Award. 

For the latest news from the British Sailing Team visit www.britishsailingteam.com