Paul Borg - Victorian Disabled Sailor of the Year

by David Staley, Yachting Victoria on 7 Aug 2005 At a gala function held at Sandringham Yacht Club on Friday night, achievements of Victoria’s outstanding yachtsmen and women were celebrated at the annual Victorian Yachting Awards, held in recognition of outstanding contributions and achievements by individuals within with the sport.

Gippsland Lakes Yacht Club member and blind sailor, Paul Borg, was announced the 2004-05 Victorian Disabled Sailor of the Year by Chairman of the Selection Committee, Alistair Murray. He was presented with his trophy by Yachting Victoria President John Burgess.

Borg competes in weekly club racing and special events at Gippsland Lakes Yacht Club with sighted crew, either on his Hartley TS16 trailable yacht or on other members’ keelboats. He is also a strong competitor in the Access Dinghy 2.3 and 303 classes, sailing solo amongst a fleet of sighted competitors.

As helmsman, Paul won the International Match Racing Championships for Blind People, held in Imperia, Italy, in May this year, sailing with Don Scott (NSW) as sheet hand.

This is the pinnacle event for autonomous blind sailing and followed Paul’s second placing in the same event at Lake Como, Italy, in 2003 where he sailed with Michael Oda of Japan as crew.

Alistair Murray commented, ‘the success of the Australian team in Imperia this year was due mainly to Paul’s extraordinary ‘feel’ for the elements, combined with his superior boat handling skills and a strong competitive instinct.’

The 2005 Victorian Sailor of the Year Awards included:

Victorian Male Sailor of the Year:

Rohan Veal (Black Rock Yacht Club)

Victorian Female Sailor of the Year:

Sarah Blanck (Royal Brighton Yacht Club)

Victorian Disabled Sailor of the Year:

Paul Borg (Gippsland Lakes Yacht Club)

Victorian Youth Sailor of the Year:

Sean Bly (Frankston Yacht Club)

Victorian Junior Sailor of the Year:

Jointly awarded to Samantha England (Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron) and Tim Hannah (Sorrento Sailing Couta Boat Club)

As well as recognising competitive sailors, the Victorian Yachting Awards acknowledge the huge contribution made by volunteers and the VicHealth Yacht Club of the Year award recognises outstanding yacht clubs.

VicHealth Yacht Club of the Year:

Jointly awarded to Sorrento Sailing Couta Boat Club and Apollo Bay Sailing Club

Services to Yachting Awards:

Ced and Byrl Merritt (McCrae Yacht Club)

Sean Hogan (Training Committee)

Brad Hein (Portland Yacht Club)

Bill Haines (Corner Inlet Boat Club)

Services to Motor Cruising:

Richard Trebilcock (Royal Victorian Motor Yacht Club)