Windsurfer of the Year - 2023
Winner - Lucas Meldrum (Wave)
This is the second year on the trot that Lucas has been nominated in the wave category. Justifiably so, as we saw Lucas put in a commanding display all year winning the BWA crown overall and in challenging conditions won the Tiree Wave Classic to round off an exceptional year. An amazing year for a sailor who only won the Youth event 7 years previously. A consummate professional he is a great ambassador and inspiration to other young wave sailors. Lucas was the unanimous vote for WPOTY by the BWA selection team.
In the whole history of this award the voting has never been this close. Top two only separated by 2 votes and the top four only 42 votes between them. Which is amazing considering the 5 athletes nominated are all from different disciplines of our sport: Rafferty Read (Wingfoiling, included this year for the first time), Lucas Meldrum (wave), James Faley (Slalom), Boris Shaw (Racing) and Jim Crossley (Speed) and any of which would have been a well deserved winner.
However it's the public that decides and after all votes have been verified we are pleased to announce that this years winner is wave sailor Lucas Meldrum.
Bob Ingram the chairman of the UKWA said
“Well done to all this years worthy candidates. Lucas is a very worthy winner and encompasses all of the qualities of this award and rounds off a fantastic year for him. Huge congratulations to him and the whole BWA team who brought us some amazing results and competition this year. I have no doubt we will the see the other nominees appearing on the list again in the future. We will arrange for the UKWA WOTY trophy to be presented to Lucas in the next few weeks.”
Other contenders in 2023
Boris Shaw (Racing)
Boris rose through the ranks on Techno competing on both 6.8 & 7.8 before making the jump to iQFOiL, Success continued with outstanding results in the National Series. Now a sailing squad team member, 2nd place under 21 at the iQ worlds and he is the GBR representative for the world sailing youth worlds in Brazil. Clearly Boris is a very talented competitor who has the enthusiasm and capability to bring home many more medals in the future. Always willing to pass on his knowledge and experience to younger sailors. We believe this makes him a worthy nominee.
James Faley (Slalom)
2023 has been incredible year for James. He has not only managed to become UKWA National Slalom Champion whilst being a university student, working multiple jobs as well as training on the water and in the gym. It would have broken most 20 year olds. Winning this championship almost 5 years to the day James father was tragically killed makes it super special for him and without a doubt he was a major inspiration. James started windsurfing at 10 with the OTC and was immediately hooked,. He passionately and enthusiastically promotes windsurfing and is a great ambassador for his sponsors. In his own words, “Windsurfing sets me free and this one is for you dad”.
Rafferty Read (Wingfoil)
For the 1st time in UKWA history we have a nominee in wingfoiling.
Rafferty took a leap last year moving on from windsurfing to concentrate on his wing foiling career, he started with the UKWA events which he was very successful at and he also gave the wing foiling world tour a go.
He is currently ranked in the world top 10, travelling the world and has qualified GBR for the World Beach Games. He managed to pick up many wins at UKWA course and slalom events when in the UK, concluding with winning the Wing Foil fleet in the National Windsports Championships in September. Rafferty is also the IQ Foil class commentator in parallel with his wing foiling he is also an enthusiastic supporter of the development of Wing Foiling and water-sports in the UK, keen to see it continue to build a strong fleet with participation across all ages.
Jim Crossley (Speed)
Nominated for the 5rd time in the speed category. Jim has won the UKWA GPS speed challenge again this year for the 7th year in a row with an amazing speed of 46.89 knots over 250m. As we announce this nomination Jim is on his way to Luderitz in Namibia where he is taking part in a World speed record attempt. His goal is to break the 50 knot barrier over the official WSSRC course.