Steve Curtis Wins 2003 Yachtsman of the Year Award
Steve Curtis, a five-time Union Internationale Motonautique Class 1 powerboat racing world champion, has received the sailing world's most prestigious accolade, the 2003 Raymarine Yachting Journalists' Association Yachtsman of the Year Award.
LONDON, England — Steve Curtis, a five-time Union Internationale Motonautique Class 1 powerboat racing world champion, has received the sailing world's most prestigious accolade, the 2003 Raymarine Yachting Journalists' Association Yachtsman of the Year Award. Curtis is the first powerboat winner since 1990.
The title of Raymarine/YJA Yachtsman of the Year recognizes British sporting excellence in power or sail. Racing with Norwegian Bjorn Gjelsten aboard 'Spirit of Norway', Curtis earned his fifth world title in October 2003 with a win in the Qatar Grand Prix. Curtis and Gjelsten are also European and Pole Position champions.
Steve Curtis, winner of the YJA Yachtsman of the Year award. Photo by Peter Bentley
Curtis was runner-up to Olympic and world sailing champion Ben Ainslie in last year's Yachtsman of the Year awards, and has been a leading light in the world of powerboat racing for more than two decades. The 39-year- old from Southampton has proved himself to be the world's top throttle man, controlling the speed of his 160mph 'Spirit of Norway' working closely in sync with helmsman Bjorn Gjelsten when cornering and navigating through big seas.
In 2003 Curtis was awarded the Segrave Trophy for the most outstanding demonstration of transportation by land, air or water. He has won 17 Class One Grand Prix, appeared on the podium 24 times and claimed 18 pole positions.
