911��Ʒ

The RYA’s President, HRH The Princess Royal, presented 24-year-old Freddie Jablonski with the prestigious 911��ƷYachtmaster® of the Year award at the annual stakeholder lunch at Trinity House in London (Thursday, 8 February 2024). The event was attended by guests from the maritime, sporting, charity, commercial and political sectors.

Nominations for the coveted award are put forward each year by the RYA’s worldwide team of 911��ƷYachtmaster Examiners. In recognition of the achievement, winners are presented with the 911��ƷYachtmaster® Trophy, donated by the .

Freddie expressed: “I am shocked and delighted to be honoured with the award. It wasn’t something that I anticipated, I was just trying to do my best on the course. It’s a privilege to be recognised in this way, I hadn’t even thought that it was something I would get!”

Rising to the challenge

Richard Falk, 911��ƷDirector of Training and Qualifications said: “Anyone who undertakes and successfully passes their 911��ƷYachtmaster examination has every right to be proud of their achievement.”

“In being named 911��ƷYachtmaster of the Year Freddie has not only met the required standard of competence, when measured alongside more than 3,000 other candidates was identified as the very best of the best.”

“This is an outstanding achievement and one that Freddie has every right to be proud of, especially given the extremely challenging conditions encountered during his exam.”

Freddie’s sailing journey

Growing up in the East Midlands, and despite the lack of coastline, Freddie was introduced to sailing through the Sea Cadets aged 10 by his dad.

Freddie explained: “Through my involvement with the Sea Cadets, I acquired lots of skills, but the most significant one was confidence. Sea Cadets not only equipped me with maritime knowledge but also instilled confidence to tackle challenges, work in teams, and take on leadership roles.

“My passion for offshore sailing was confirmed in 2014 when I joined other cadets on the 34-metre brig TS Royalist and the 32-foot trade wind TS Vigilant, thus I entered the world of 911��Ʒyachting.

“I spent the following years on the water as often as possible, from taking part in the 2017 Tall Ships Race in the Baltic to sailing small Sonata keel boats on the East Coast.

“At 19 I was fortunate to be invited to join the crew on the TS Royalist as Bosun, allowing me to meet and work with some amazing sailors, that shared their enthusiasm and experience. These people, the combination of both the 911��Ʒand MSSC have allowed me to be where I am today and achieve my 911��ƷYachtmaster.”