Key Yachting, the UK, Ireland, and Channel Islands distributor for J Boats, enjoyed a glamorous evening at the Royal Thames Yacht Club on Monday night, for Chelsea Magazines’ British Yachting Awards. Marie-Claude Heys, Hannah Le Prevost, and Gemma Dunn represented Key Yachting and were joined by J Boats President Jeff Johnstone and a small guest list of British J boat owners.
The second edition of the event, Key Yachting was thrilled to receive two awards on the night.
The new J/99 was crowned Racing Yacht/Sportsboat of the year, a tough category. Voted for by readers of Sailing Today and Yachts & Yachting, presenter Rob Peake stated that upon her launch the winner had proved an instant hit in a string of successes for the shipyard. Accepting the award with Marie-Claude, Jeff Johnstone described how the boat was inspired by the growth of the double-handed racing scene, particularly in the UK. He continued by saying that Paul Heys was instrumental in driving the yard to fill a growing need. This is the first award for the boat, which is currently nominated for four international awards, including the prestigious European Yacht of the Year.
The late Paul Heys on sheet
The final award of the evening was a new category, Lifetime Achievement. This was awarded to Paul Heys, and accepted by Marie-Claude. Before the presentation, Jeff delivered a wonderful and emotive speech, detailing the success of the “consummate salesperson”, who unlike other yacht brokers, relished gatherings of owners to compare notes and stories because this was how the J family in the UK was established and flourished. Jeff himself stated “The boat has little to do with it, it’s all about people. Energy breeds energy and Paul was the energiser”
The J99
Key Yachting has a J/99 available to view in Hamble for a limited time, call Mark Mansfield at 00353 87 2506838 or email to [email protected]. You can meet the Key Yachting team at the next show for the J/99; boot Düsseldorf, from 18th-26th January.
