YNZ Sailor of the Year- 2007 Young Sailor Award
by Script: Peter Montgomery and Jodie Bakewell-White on 19 Nov 2007
Former Young Sailor of the Year, and Gold Medalist at the 2007 pre-Olympics, Thomas Ashely announces the 2007 Young Sailor of the Year Award Richard Gladwell
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Yachting New Zealand’s Young Sailor of the Year is awarded in recognition of an outstanding performance in competition by yachties 20 years or under.
The finalists are all outstanding young sailors and it is always a difficult task for our judges to narrow this one down. All finalist nominees here tonight in this category have significant achievements.
The finalist nominees for the Young Sailor of the Year 2007 are…
Peter Burling & Carl Evans
Already presented a Merit Award tonight, let me remind you… this young duo successfully defended their 420 World Championships crown making it back-to-back world titles with a win off Takapuna Beach in January this year. Graduating to the Olympic 470 class the 17 years olds then went on to place 6th at the 470 European Championships earning them a place in the Yachting New Zealand Olympic Squad. Carl and Peter were 9th at the Pre-Olympics in Qingdao demonstrating they have outstanding potential. They are nominated by Kohimarama Yacht Club and Tauranga Yacht & Powerboat Club.
Josh Junior
Josh Junior is a stand-out in the crop of sailors to emerge out of Wellington over recent years. Selected to represent New Zealand in the Laser class at the ISAF Youth World Championships, Josh went to Canada and won a silver medal, competing against the best youth sailors from around the world. Josh placed an impressive 3rd at the New Zealand Open Laser Nationals where he was the top youth and he also represented New Zealand at the ISAF World Championships in Cascais. Josh is nominated by the Worser Bay Boating Club.
Alexandra Maloney
Alexandra Maloney has had an impressive year in the junior classes topped off by being top female and 3rd place overall at the Optimist World Championships where she was up against 250 other sailors. Also in 2007 Alexandra was top female and 2= at the Optimist National Champs, top female and 2nd overall in the Tanner Cup, and 4th overall in the Tauranga Cup. Alexandra is nominated by Murrays Bay Sailing Club, Kerikeri Cruising Club and the NZIODA.
NZ Optimist Team to the World Champs
Overall winners of the team prize – the Miami Herald Team Trophy, first individual, third individual who was also the top female. The outstanding performance of this team eclipsed the 2004 result when the team won the team trophy – this year also finishing with the top individual and the top female. Three of the five person team finished within the top ten in the enormous fleet of 251 sailors. The team is nominated by the NZIODA.
Paul Snow-Hansen & Blair Tuke
Together Paul Snow-Hansen and Blair Tuke were 2nd at both the 420 National Championships and at YouthSail 07, which secured them a place in the NZL Yachting Trust Youth Team. They went on to win a silver medal for New Zealand at the ISAF Youth World Championships in Canada this year in the 29er class. They also placed 5th at the US 29er National Championships in California – their first ever regatta in the 29er - just prior to the Youth Worlds. They are nominated by Wakatere Boating Club and Kerikeri Cruising Club.
Chris Steele – Optimist
Chris Steele has already been recognised with a Merit Award earlier this evening… Chris Steele won the Optimist World Championship for 2007 – it’s the first time ever by a New Zealander – he beat 250 other competitors from 56 countries. Chris Steele pulled off this milestone off Cagliari, Italy in conditions ranging from slight to severe winds. He was consistent throughout the regatta with six top three finishes over the thirteen races sailed. He is nominated by both NZIODA and Wakatere Boating Club.
Thomas Saunders
The first of two finalists from the Saunders family from Tauranga this year, Thomas has the impressive record of winning four national titles over a three month period in 2007. Thomas has won both P Class national titles – the Tauranga Cup for inter-club competition and the Tanner Cup for inter-provincial competition. Thomas is the 420 National champion and also a member of the Tauranga Boys College Team to win the Secondary Schools Teams Racing Championship. The Tauranga Boys College Team then went on to win the Inter-dominion Teams Racing Regatta in September this year. Thomas was also crew for Jud Smith when they won the Etchell World Championship sailed in Fremantle in November 2006.
Jason Saunders
Brother of Thomas, Jason Saunders won three national titles over a three month period in 2007. Jason is Starling National Champion, 420 National Champion with his brother Thomas, and also Captain of the Tauranga Boys College team which won the Secondary Schools Teams Racing Nationals and then the Inter-dominions. Both Thomas and Jason are nominated by the Tauranga Yacht & Powerboat Club.
Former Young Sailor of the Year, Tom Ashley announced the Young Sailor of the Year for 2007 and presented the trophy to jount winners, Chris Steele and Carl Evans/Peter Burling.
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