Dear All
We are delighted to inform you that, in recognition for his record-breaking sail around Great Britain, last night disabled yachtsman Geoff Holt was announced the winner of the BBC TV (South) Sports Personality 2007 award with a record 57% of the public vote, the highest ever winning margin for the BBC South Awards. 
He was one of 4 nominees for the accolade, the second place nominee polled 18% of the vote. This goes to show just how many people voted for Geoff and by what a terrific margin he won. Thank you all so much.

Of those 18 awards, 17 were decided by a judging panel, it was only the final award which was decided by public telephone vote.

Of those four nominations, Geoff won two awards. He was chosen by the judges as winner of the BBC TV South Sportsman of the Year Award and, in the highlight of the evening, was chosen by the public vote as the overall winner of the prestigious BBC TV South Sports Personality of the Year 2007 award.

“Thank you so much to everyone who voted for me” said Geoff. “I can’t begin to tell you what an honour it is to win these awards, particularly to win the overall Sports Personality award and by such a margin. I could not have climbed my Personal Everest without my crew and I thank each and everyone of them (Ian, Andy, Spike, Mike, Sarah, Joel, Eddie and Elaine) and also my wonderful sponsors, Blake Lapthorn Tarlo Lyons, whose generous sponsorship made it possible.

Thanks too to all of the companies, clubs, groups and individuals who provided equipment, specialist advice and support, this really was a team event that could only have happened with the help and support of you all. I will be forever grateful to each and everyone of you. I can’t possibly list you all but you know who you are and if you’re not sure, there is a list on my website. I could go on but I want to leave it there and to thank you all once again, I’m so very proud of what we achieved, 2007 has been a truly wonderful year.”