FOUR Hampshire sailors have scooped one of the most prestigious awards in sailing.

Olympic stars Ben Ainslie, Pippa Wilson, Paul Goodison and Iain Percy were this week named joint winners of the 2008 Raymarine/YJA Yachtsman of the Year award.

They shared the award with all the other 2008 British Olympic sailing gold medallists – Andrew Simpson, Sarah Ayton and Sarah Webb – at a gala luncheon at the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich.

It caps an amazing year for Lymington sailor Ainslie, who has now won the award a record four times.

Speaking from Australia he said: “The award is fantastic success for the team, and great recognition for everyone that was involved, not just the sailors but the people behind the scenes working hard on and off the water.

“Personally for me to win this prestigious award a record fifth time is a great honour.”

The Raymarine Young Sailor of the Year was also announced this week. Brother and sister James and Frances Peters, from Hayling Island, scooped the award to share the prestigious title.

During their fantastic 2008 season they both achieved gold medals at the Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship in Denmark.