Seasoned powerboat racer including many an exploit with Fabio Buzzi and his high speed designed RIBS Dag Pike received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Yachting Journalists Association/Raymarine Yachtsman of the Year Awards during the recent London International Boat Show.

Dag Pike, 75, was also shortlisted for the Yachtsman of the Year trophy for his role as navigator in the winning 2008 Round Britain Powerboat Race. He was beaten to that prize by the 2008 Olympic sailing team, but was recognised for his extraordinary career afloat which started with a working life on a trawler.

Since then he has won two Round Britain Powerboat Races, navigated boats for the top powerboaters in the world. In particular he was navigator aboard Richard Branson's Virgin Atlantic Challenger for her trans-Atlantic speed record attempt when she sank just 140 miles short after hitting something in the water. One year later he was the navigator again when Virgin Atlantic Challenger II smashed the record held for more than thirty years.

Dag has also written countless books and been an official advisor for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and other bodies.

January 2009