Legendary Clipper Race founder Sir Robin Knox-Johnston is the YJA's British Yachtsman of the Year for the fourth time.

The Yachting Journalists' Association awarded Hampshire star Sir Robin, 75, with the honour following his podium place in French solo classic the Route du Rhum in November 2014.

More than 45 years on from his historical solo, nonstop circumnavigation of the globe, Sir Robin continues to inspire the worldwide sailing community. He has helped 3,300 amateur sailors take on the world’s oceans in the Clipper Race, which will celebrate its tenth edition on August 30 this year.

Sir Robin said: “I am delighted to receive this award  amongst so many good friends from the sailing world.

“At last I've caught up with Sir Ben Ainslie having now won my fourth award. The other two nominees have performed fantastically and both deserved to win - so I would like to thank everyone who voted for me.

“I enjoyed the racing I did last year immensely. The support I received from around the world was inspirational and drove me to push harder during the Route du Rhum. I am looking forward to competing more this year before the 10th anniversary edition of the Clipper Race gets underway at the end of August.”

Sir Robin made a return to competitive solo ocean racing in 2014 after competing in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race with one of his Clipper Race crews in 2013.

He had become jealous of watching his Clipper Race crews set off at the start of each new leg during their circumnavigation and wished he was racing himself.

He will take part in double handed challenge The Transatlantic Race 2015 in late June.