HIGHCLIFFE Sailing Club's Ken Fowler had his 72-mile circumnavigation of the Isle of Wight recognised at a recent awards ceremony.

The 50-year-old, who achieved the feat in a 14-foot Laser dinghy, was voted runner-up in the achievement of the year category at the Yachts and Yachting Awards at the London Boat Show.

Fowler was pipped to the post by Chinese sailor Guo Chuan, who piloted his 97-foot trimaran through the Northeast Passage in record time.

One of four nominees, Fowler said: "I was gobsmacked to come second to such a deserved winner and was euphoric and proud to hear the name of Highcliffe Sailing Club mentioned."

Highcliffe SC's Simon Mussel received a nomination for amateur sailor of the year in recognition of his triumph at the Contender World Championships.