The London International Boat Show drew to a close today, Sunday 18 January, concluding 10 of the busiest days in the capital’s boating calendar.

The Show, which is the largest marine exhibition in London, hosted more than 500 exhibitors and showcased hundreds of boats, ranging from 1.4 metre sailing dinghies to 37 metre tri-deck motor yachts. The Show provided a vital platform for the industry to showcase its quality, with exhibitors spanning power and sail boats, dinghies, deck equipment, charter holidays, sailing courses, chandlery and more.

For years she lay forgotten in a Portuguese fruit shed but now she’s the toast of connoisseurs of craftsmanship.  Ierne, an 8-metre yacht built by William Fife in 1914, has won the Restoration of the Year Award from Classic Boat magazine.

Her owner Huw Jones was presented with this prestigious Award at this year’s London Boat Show. Blakes Paints coatings have been used throughout her restoration and Norman Curtis, National Sales Manager for Blakes Paints commented: “The workmanship on Ierne is stunning, the yacht looks absolutely beautiful and she’s a worthy winner of the Award”

Today, the 2008 Olympic Sailing Gold Medallists - Ben Ainslie CBE (Finn class), Paul Goodison MBE (Laser class), Iain Percy OBE and Andrew Simpson MBE (Star class), and Sarah Ayton OBE, Sarah Webb OBE and Pippa Wilson MBE (Yngling class), notched up another success as they were announced joint winners of the prestigious Raymarine / YJA Yachtsman of the Year title.

Between them, they won four gold medals in Beijing, dominating their opponents and helping gain the highest results seen for Great Britain in yachting history.  Their Raymarine YJA Yachtsman of the Year title recognises their sporting excellence and tremendous achievements.  They now join many of the greatest achievers in British yachting circles who have won the award over the past five decades.