Sailors dominate in 2006 Blind Sport Awards

by Event Media on 11 May 2007
Blind sport supporters and participants were honoured this year's Blind
Sport Award winners at a ceremony held in Auckland on 4 May. New Zealand blind sailors and teams won five awards.

The depth of talent and outstanding achievements across a number of sports over the last year created a real challenge for the organisers and judges.

'The skill and dedication of all those nominated is just phenomenal and
the 2007 winners have taken blind sport to yet another level. Their
achievements are an inspiration for all people, not just the blind and
vision-impaired,' said Murray Peat, Vice-President, Blind Sport New
Zealand.

'We're especially delighted to introduce a new category in this year's
awards - the Junior Athlete of the Year. It's great to see so many of
our younger athletes participating in sport. Hopefully this award will
encourage even more blind and vision-impaired children and young adults
to have a go.'

'The winners of these awards, and everyone involved in the many
different kinds of blind sport, are proof that you can still be active,
competitive and enjoy sport even without sight'.

Blind Sport players are divided into three categories according to their
vision. The categories are: B1 totally blind, B2: partially sighted and
B3: partially blind.

The 2007 Blind Sport New Zealand award winners are:

* Totally Blind (B1) Sportsperson of the Year: Rob Aislabie,
Rotorua, Blind Sailing

* Partially Sighted (B2) Sportsperson of the Year: Charles
Tauhore, Otara, Goalball

* Partially Sighted (B3) Sportsperson of the Year: Eddie Moree,
Rotorua, Blind Sailing

* Team of the Year: Blind Sailing New Zealand World Championship
Team 2006

* Volunteer of the Year: Paul Burns, Manurewa, Indoor Bowls

* Spirit of Sport Award: Eru Winiata, Otara, Fishing

* Coach of the Year: Tony Thompson, Rotorua, Blind Sailing

* Administrator of the Year: Don Mason, Auckland, Blind Sailing

* Junior Athlete of the Year: Mary Fisher, Upper Hutt, Swimming


Sailor Profiles

Totally Blind (B1) Sportsperson of the Year: Rob Aislabie, Rotorua,
Blind Sailing

Rob has competed nationally and internationally in blind sailing. He has
reached international standards as a helmsman and is an active motivator
and mentor for other blind sailors. Rob played a critical role on and
off the water in the 2006 IFDS World Blind Sailing Championships which
saw the New Zealand team win the Squadron Cup for overall team
performance. Rob also serves on The New Zealand Council for sailing for
the Blind and Vision Impaired Inc.


Partially Sighted (B3) Sportsperson of the Year: Eddie Moree, Rotorua,
Blind Sailing

Eddie serves as Chairman of the Rotorua Blind Sailing Group and was part
of the team to win second place at the National Blind Sailing
Championship in 2006. He was also part of the winning B3 division team
at the International Federation for Disabled Sailing World Blind Sailing
Championship organised by the New York Yacht Club Newport Rhode Island
September 2006.

Team of the Year: Blind Sailing New Zealand World Championship Team 2006

An incredible year for this outstanding team which saw them earn first
place and the World Blind Sailing Championship Team Trophy at the World
Blind Sailing Championship in Newport Rhode Island. This placed New
Zealand as the number one country in Fleet Blind Sailing and was won
over crews from Great Britain, France, Spain, Norway, Japan, USA and
Canada. The team also made a successful bid to host the next IFDS World
Blind Sailing Championships. The New Zealand team were popular winners
at the regatta and were well respected by their sailing peers. The World
secretary for Blind Sailing International was selected from the ranks of
the New Zealand Team.

Coach of the Year: Tony Thompson, Rotorua, Blind Sailing

Tony is Chairman of the New Zealand Council for Sailing for the Blind
and Vision Impaired Inc and has had a pivotal role in the high level of
success and profile currently being enjoyed by New Zealand's blind
sailors. Tony has been instrumental in preparing and training the
current blind sailing team through his own expertise and that of guest
coaches from the NZ America's cup crew and former New Zealand Olympic
coaches. At the IFDS World Blind Sailing Championships in Newport, Rhode
Island Tony ensured the team was thoroughly prepared and issues managed.
The final result speaks for itself - world class sailors from New
Zealand.

Administrator of the Year: Don Mason, Auckland, Blind Sailing

Don has been associated with Blind Sailing since 1990 in a number of
administrative and management positions and is currently CEO of Blind
Sailing New Zealand. Earlier in his association he was selected for two
World Championship teams. Don successfully managed the logistics of
taking 14 team members to the World Blind Sailing Championships held out
of New York Yacht Club Newport Rhode Island. With the help of his
council and supporters Don supervised funding efforts and raised $98,000
to enable the team to travel. Don continues as CEO of Blind Sailing New
Zealand, Secretary for the World of Blind Sailing, produces a quarterly
newsletter for Blind Sailing, and maintains the Blind Sailing New
Zealand and Blind Sailing International websites.

Blind Sailing New Zealand
www.sailingblind.org.nz
www.blindsailing.org