THE SOUTH'S top sport stars gathered in Southampton last night to celebrate their achievements of the past year at the BBC South Sports Awards.

The ceremony, held at the DeVere Grand Harbour Hotel, recognised stars from a variety of sports. However, being an Olympic year, it was no surprise that the heroes from Athens dominated the awards, especially those who competed on the water.

Ben Ainslie, from Lymington, was voted Yachtsperson of the Year for a third successive time and has dominated on the water as much as he has in the award.

He produced a magnificent performance in Athens, winning gold in the Finn Class sailing, adding to his Olympic gold in the Laser Class at the 2000 Games in Sydney and his silver in Atlanta in 1996.

This year, Ainslie also won the world Championship for the third time and is the only person to win the Olympics and the world championships in the Finn Class in the same year.

Despite being in New Zealand, Ainslie sent a video message, saying: "It is a great honour to receive the award.

"It was fantastic to be in Athens as part of the Great Britain sailing team."

Rod Carr, chief executive of the Royal Yachting Association, accepted the award on Ainslie's behalf. When asked how Ainslie achieves such a high level of success, Carr said: "He's absolutely single minded. He's awesomely talented."

Nick Thompson, from Lymington, won the Young Sportsperson of the Year award after he was crowned the World Youth Sailing Champion in the Laser Class. He said: "I'm pretty surprised. I'm over the moon."

Thompson is seen as one of the brightest sailing prospects in Britain and has already drawn comparisons with Ainslie. He added: "Ben's a role-model to everyone in the sport.

"He's a great guy. To follow in his footsteps would be great."

Hampshire cricket's Dimitri Mascarenhas was named Cricketer of the Year, capping a fine 2004.

Mascarenhas topped the bowling averages this season with a magnificent 18.67, leading Hampshire back to the top division of the County Championships. He also became the first player to take a hat-trick in the Twenty20 Cup competition. Speaking of the competition and what it has done for cricket, Mascarenhas said: "I love every minute of it. It's good for the game, it's good for the players and it's good for the spectators."

The south's Sports Personality of the Year award, presented by Simon Clegg, the Chef de Mission for Great Britain's Olympic team, went to manager of the Poole Pirates speedway team Neil Middleditch.

Middleditch, who helped the Pirates become the first team in 40 years to win the speedway league and cup double in successive seasons, edged out Bournemouth footballer James Hayter and gold medal tennis Paralympian Peter Norfolk for the top award.

Middleditch said: "To win this is unbelievable."

Norfolk was voted Sportsman of the Year and Hayter was awarded Footballer of the Year honours.

Poole Pirates were crowned Male Team of the Year, while Female Team of the Year went to Yngling Olympic gold medallists Shirley Robertson, Sarah Webb and Sarah Ayton. Robertson also took home the Sportswoman of the Year Award.

Manager of the Year was awarded to Stephen Park, the Great Britain Olympic sailing manager, after he helped the team bring home five medals. Disabled Sportsman of the Year went to Bournemouth cyclist Darren Kenny, who won two gold medals in the Paralympics.

Kathy Smith, from Oxford, won Disabled Sportswoman of the Year for her part in the gold medal-winning archery team at the Paralympics.

Non-League Team of the Year was won by Winchester City FC who, in the past year, won the FA Vase and completed a Wessex League and Cup double.

The Unsung Hero award was won by Lee Chaffey for his commitment in developing football in the small community of Whitchurch, in Reading. Alan Ball also presented the Outstanding Contribution to Local Radio award to Radio Solent's Mike Smith.