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For CAFFARI, who was also nominated for the 2006 ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Award, the world challenge was a long held ambition. Having fulfilled her desire to be involved in round the world yacht racing, by skippering a yacht in the Global Challenge, she set sail on a more personal voyage, the Aviva Challenge - her 178 day solo circumnavigation. Departing in November 2005, CAFFARI arrived back a hero in May 2006 to a triumphant homecoming into Southampton.

Lady Pippa BLAKE presented CAFFARI with her prestigious trophy at the awards ceremony, arranged by members of the Yachting Journalists' Association (YJA), held at The Painted Hall, The Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich.

Other Finalists

Finalists for the prestigious title included 470 World Champions Nic ASHER and Elliot WILLIS, the first British team to win the 470 World Championship since 1988; and Steve CURTIS, who has won an unbelievable eight Powerboat Class 1 World Championships and is considered the best international powerboat racer of all time - Steve CURTIS is a previous Raymarine/YJA Yachtsman of the Year title holder.

Following nominations by the general public and Royal Yachting Association affiliated clubs, the winner was selected by the voting of the YJA members.

Raymarine Young Sailor of the Year, MILLER was awarded Raymarine Young Sailor of the Year at the London Boat Show on Saturday 6 January 2007. MILLER, who is studying Yacht Manufacture and Surveying at Southampton Solent University, wins the award for her single-handed circumnavigation of Great Britain in her boat Elektra earlier this year. Her inspirational three-month voyage raised funds for The Ellen MacArthur Trust to enable even more children suffering with cancer to experience the thrills and beauty of sailing. MILLER's initial plans were formulated in 2004 when she passed her Day Skipper course in Menorca - after two years of hard work she successfully completed her challenge.