WEYMOUTH world champion sailor Giles Scott just missed out on capping a magnificent 12 months in style when he was beaten to the Yachting Journalists’ Association British Yachtsman of the Year award by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston.

Scott, pictured, who won gold in the Finn class at the ISAF Sailing World Championships last September and starred on the World Cup circuit, finished behind Knox-Johnston in the voting alongside solo transatlantic sailor Miranda Merron, the third contender for the prestigious award.

For 75-year-old Knox-Johnston, the first man to perform a single-handed non-stop circumnavigation of the globe back in 1969, it is the fourth time he has been crowned the Yachtsman of the Year.

“At last I’ve caught up with Sir Ben Ainslie having now won my fourth award,” he said. “The other two nominees have performed fantastically and both deserved to win – so I would like to thank everyone who voted for me.”

Despite not getting the nod, Scott has still enjoyed a fantastic year on the water.

He was named British Sailing’s Athlete of the Year after a sensational season in the Finn class.

As well as his success at the World Championships, Scott won the Rio 2016 Test Event, European Championships, ISAF Sailing World Cup competitions in Miami and Palma, and the Sail for Gold EUROSAF series event in Weymouth and Portland.

The Huntingdon-born sailor also earned a spot on the shortlist for the ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year award.

Also at the Yachting Journalists’ Association awards ceremony in London, Christchurch windsurfer Emma Wilson was named the Young Sailor of the Year.