Victoria’s Sailors of the Year named
by Jennifer Milligan on 20 Jun 2009
A Cat Worlds 2009, Belmont, NSW (Australia) - 05/01/09
2009 World Champion GLENN ASHBY Andrea Francolini Photography
http://www.afrancolini.com/
Olympians Sarah Blanck and Glenn Ashby have taken out top honours at the annual Victorian Yachting awards – both now named Sailor of the Year an unprecedented six times each.
Former state sailor of the year, John Bertrand AM, was guest presenter at the Melbourne Sport and Aquatic Centre (Friday night), where around 140 people saw Olympic Laser Radial sailor Blanck named Female Sailor of the Year and Olympic Tornado star Ashby receive the Male Sailor of the Year award.
Thirty two year old Blanck, a member at Royal Brighton Yacht Club, came an impressive fourth at the Beijing Olympics last year and fifth in the 2008 Laser Radial World Championships. She is a former world Europe class champion and was Australia’s top placed sailor at the 2004 Olympics.
``I was really surprised,’’ Blanck said. ``I didn’t even know I was nominated! But of course it is a big honour and I really appreciate being home.’’
Blanck is heading to Denmark and Japan for a five week coaching stint.
Ashby, 29, was named the Tornado World champion in 2008, and proved his sailing prowess winning a silver medal at the Beijing Olympics.
In the international A Class World Titles in NSW, Australia , in February this year, Ashby sailed away with the World Championship.
``This award is a pleasant surprise,’’ Ashby said. ``Sarah has been at the top of her game for some time, and I have had a massive year, the biggest 12 months of all time!’’
In addition to his sailing success, Ashby and wife Melissa became the proud parents of a baby girl just eight weeks ago.
Disabled Sailor of the Year Krista Bailey said she was surprised and honoured to win her award.
``Especially when I saw who I was up against,’’ Bailey laughed. ``It was a big surprise.’’
Bailey will also head off oversease next year to compete in the World Championships in the UK.
Yacht Club of the Year went to the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria.
Commodore Tony Spencer said he was pleased with the many awards his club had accumulated over the night.
``The award is for the members, the volunteers and all the people associated with our club,’’ Mr Spencer said.
With nearly 1000 members, Mr Spencer said the club’s success could be attributed to it’s fantastic culture. ``It’s a great place to learn to sail and to sail at,’’ Mr Spencer said.
Fifteen-year-old Lloyd Collings received the Junior Sailor of the Year.
``It’s fantastic,’’ the Woodleigh School student said. ``It was great to win last year as a pair, but to win it on my own is really good.’’
A special award was given to Sandringham Yacht Club member Dr Rob Cuthbertson and duty manager Paul Corield, who helped save the life of a fellow member after he suffered a heart attack at the club late last year. The two received the Special Services to Yachting award in recognition of their marvellous efforts.
Ashby and Blanck have won the State’s top sailing honours an unprecedented six times each. Previous sailor of the year winners include Sydney Olympic gold medalists Tom King and Mark Turnbull (2000, 01), two-time champion John Bertrand (1977 & 1984), Dual Sydney-Hobart winner Lou Abrahams 2006 and handicapped solo around the word sailor Vinny Lauwers (2001).
Award winners for 2009 are:
Services to Yachting Award
Rob Ballard
Alisdair McBride
David Staley
Geoff Watson
Guy Bancroft
PRESIDENT AWARD
John Donaldson
Special services to Yachting
Rob Cuthbertson
Paul Corfield
Sailing World Speed record winner
Macquarie Innovation
iNSTRUCTOR OF THE YEAR
Graham Mason
Don McKenzie
RACE OFFICIAL OF THE YEAR
David LeRoy
COACH OF THE YEAR
Johnny Rodgers
MEDIA AND PUBLICITY AWARD
The Bendigo Advertiser
Junior Sailor of the Year
Lloyd Collings
Youth Sailor of the Year
Andrew Gillies & James Sly
Disabled Sailor of the Year
Krista Bailey
Female Sailor of the Year
Sarah Blanck
Male Sailor of the Year
Glenn Ashby
Yacht Club of the Year
Royal Yacht Club of Victoria
Victorian Junior Regatta
3rd James Oliver
2nd Nicola Dixon and Nicola Armstrong
1st Lloyd Collings
Victorian Youth Regatta
3rd Tom Klemens and Stuart Baird
2nd George Davies and Tim Hannah
1st James Sly and Andrew Gillies
Victorian Dinghy Championship
3rd Jack Graves
2nd Lloyd Collings
1st Murray Shaw
Victorian Catamaran Championship
3rd Peter Nikitin
2nd Ben Deed
1st David Brewer
Victorian Trailable Championships
3rd Brian Murphy
2nd Peter Kalin
1st Phil Mannes
CBH Sportsboats
1st Sam White
CBH Division 1
3rd Charlie Helquist
2nd Brian Murphy
1st Peter Kalin
CBH Division 2
3rd Aron Gavin
2nd Colin Theodore
1st Phil Mannes
PBH
Division 1
Bill McDonald
PBH
Division 2
Alan Pearce
Boating Victoria Nav Rally Championship
3rd John Emmins/Jack Emmins
Beaumaris Motor Yacht Squadron
2nd Peter Clancy/ Rebecca Clancy
Beaumaris Motor Yacht Squadron
1st Bob Battye/ Alan Crighton
Royal Victoria Motor Yacht Club
CLUB MARINE RANGE SERIES MAJOR WINNERS
Division 3
1st PH
Spellbound – I. Ewing
1st IRC, 1st AMS
Assailant – T. Say
Division 2
1st PH
Stitched Up – P. Jackson
1st IRC, 1st AMS
Surprise – D. Ellis
Division 1
1st PH
Alibi – D. Hambleton
1st AMS
Horizon Sprint – F. Hammond
1st IRC
Reverie – A. Woodward
Division 0
1st PH
Audi Centre Melbourne – C. Dare
1st IRC
Dekadence – P. Coombs
ASSOCIATION CUP WINNERS
Vice Presidents Trophy
Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron
IRC B Challenge Trophy
Sandringham Yacht Club
Presidents Trophy / AMS B Challenge Trophy / AMS A Challenge Trophy / IRC A Challenge Trophy / 2009 Association Cup Winner
Royal Yacht Club of Victoria
AUSTRALIAN WOMEN’S KEELBOAT REGATTA
1st IRC, 1st AMS, 1st PH Winner
Top Gun – Erin Peters
Victorian Schools Team Racing Championship
Docklands
Haileybury College has been nominated to represent Victoria in the National Schools Team Racing Championships after winning the Victoria Harbour Schools Sailing Series Finals
Special thanks to Helly Hanson, VicHealth, Mariner Boating Holidays, Victoria – The Place to Be, Club Marine, Ronstan, Melbourne Sport and Aquatic Centre, Yachting Victoria staff and Artistic Taste Creativity.
Ends:
Yachting Victoria Media & PR
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