THE winners of last year's Hampshire business Awards enjoyed one of their rewards for gaining a place in the awards' hall of fame recently, with a day's sailing off the county's coast.

The three companies - BAA Southampton Airport, Hamble-based hi-tech firm Point Source and Isle of Wight ferry operator Red Funnel - joined sponsors Bond Pearce, KPMG and The Royal Bank of Scotland on one of Challenge Business's 72-foot yachts on the Solent.

The sailing day was an opportunity for the winners to network after being named as winners of the KPMG Company of the Year, Bond Pearce Innovation Award and The Royal Bank of Scotland Award for International Trade.

It followed the trio being presented with their awards at a ceremony held at the Ocean Village-based headquarters of Sir Chay Blyth's Challenge Business in September, shortly before the start of the Global Challenge, the world's toughest round-the-world yacht race.

The campaign is the county's annual quest to track down the best of business talent. Look out for news of the 2005 Hampshire Business Awards coming soon.