Europe's largest marina group, MDL Marinas has announced the winners of the 2010 MDL Sail Training Awards. Jon Eads, Managing Director of MDL's Marina Division and Lord Iliffe, Chairman of MDL together with David Salmon from the Ocean Youth Trust presented the awards to the inspirational young people. Each winner was presented with a personalised trophy at the recent PSP Southampton Boat Show and will take part in a week's sailing adventure in August 2010.

The award winners were selected from the regions in which MDL Marinas are located; South West, Dorset, Hampshire, Thames Valley and East Coast. Amongst the admirable young people who won this year were Aaron Gill and Stephanie Clark, both from the Thames, and Noah Goddard, Sophie Dyer and Tanya Barham, all from the Solent area.

The MDL Sail Training Awards have been running for 22 years and are organised by MDL's staff. June North has co-ordinated the Awards this year and comments: "I was delighted to be asked to get involved in the Awards. We received many worthy nominations and our Marina Managers had the difficult task of making the shortlist for interview before selecting the winners. These inspirational young people will have the opportunity to go on a fantastic sailing experience."

The sailing trip is organised by the Ocean Youth Trust, whose crew operate the yacht and will show the award winners the 'ropes' to sailing as well as give them the opportunity to help plot the course they will take. The winners will have the chance to become involved in all aspects of life onboard when they set sail from Southampton on Wednesday 25th August 2010. The yacht is scheduled to return to Poole Harbour after an unforgettable sailing experience in between.

The MDL Sail Training Awards both reward and challenge young people who have shown exceptional accomplishments and qualities that have inspired or supported others. People between the ages of 12 and 18 are nominated for the chance to enjoy the sailing experience. Past winners have included youngsters who have been outstanding achievers, as well as those who have been involved in voluntary work, those who have never had the chance to travel abroad, and those with added family responsibilities.

For more information about the MDL Sail Training Awards, please visit www.sailtrainingawards.co.uk