The 27-year-old claimed his second successive world title at the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) World Championships in Santander last month, and hit winning ways on the 2016 Olympic waters in Rio and at the European Championships in La Rochelle.

He remains unbeaten since returning to the class last year following a stint in the America's Cup.

Victories have also come in the ISAF Sailing World Cup events in Miami and Palma, and on home waters at the Sail for Gold EUROSAF series event in Weymouth and Portland.

The Huntingdon-born sailor, who missed out on Olympic qualification to four-time Olympic champion Ben Ainslie in 2008 and 2012, paid tribute to his coach Matt Howard, his Finn class training partners and the team's support staff as he collected the award in Weymouth and Portland.

Giles Scott receiving his British Sailing Athlete of the Year award from Gail Cook, marketing and communications manager at Garmin ©British Sailing Team



"I've had a great year, and am grateful to my coach Matt, the rest of the Finn squad and the support team for all their efforts in supporting me to achieve what I have," said Scott.

"We're still a long way out from Rio though, there's lots to do and there's still lots to work on, so while I'm very happy to receive this award I need to keep pushing to be where I want to in two years' time."

His phenomenal form has also seen him earn a spot on the shortlist for the ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year, due to be decided on November 4.

Scott's coach Matt Howard picked up the British Sailing Team's "Golden Funnel" award for coaching excellence, with his name now appearing on the trophy for a third time in the nine year history of the prize.

Megan Pascoe was named Paralympic Classes Athlete of the Year after a consistent season in the 2.4mR class, which saw her win the European Championships and claim podium finishes in all five of the World Cup and EUROSAF events she contested.

Lorenzo Chiavarini was the runaway winner of the Podium Potential Sailor of the Year Award following his victories at the Laser under-21 World and European Championships, and his 11th place at the senior World Championships in Santander.

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