CYA Recognizes Key Members of Canada's Sailing Community During Awards

by Elizabeth A Kerr on 25 Nov 2009 CYA's Rolex Sailor of the Year Award

The recipient of the 2009 CYA's Rolex Sailor of the Year Award is Curtis Florence.

Curtis’ sailing achievements are numerous. One of his first big victories was the 2004 Mumm 30 World Championships in Toronto, Ontario. He went on to win the Swan 45 World Championships in 2007 and currently holds World Championship titles in the Farr 30, Farr 40 and Melges 24 classes. Along with his three World Championship titles this year, he also holds the S2 7.9 North American Championship title for the 11th consecutive year.

The Rolex Sailor of the Year Award, CYA's most prestigious award, is presented annually to a Canadian sailor for bringing recognition to Canadian sailing and the Canadian Yachting Association (CYA). The award was first presented in 1986 to America's Cup supporter Paul Phelan, who successfully organized a merger between Canada's top 12-meter syndicates. The individual nominated for this award must:

a) Have been significantly involved in an activity that, from September 1, 2008 to September 1, 2009 has provided recognition to Canadian sailing and the Canadian Yachting Association. Priority in recipient selection will be given to individuals who have attained high levels of excellence in Olympic/Paralympic class sailboat competition during the award year. However, other results and accomplishments will be considered.
b) Have shown leadership qualities with respect to the event or activity.
c) Have demonstrated sportsmanship and gained the respect of fellow sailors.
d) Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada.

CYA Female Athlete of the Year Award

The recipient of the 2009 CYA Female Athlete of the Year Award is Nikola Girke.

Nikola Girke, from West Vancouver, Canada, learned to sail at Eagle Harbour Yacht Club and developed her racing career at Royal Vancouver Yacht Club. After graduating from West Vancouver Secondary School, Nikola received her Bachelor of Human Kinetics from the University of British Columbia. In the Laser 2 sailing class, Nikola was a three-time National Youth Sailing Champion, representing Canada at the 1995 Youth Worlds placing fifth and winning the Women's Title at the 1995 Laser 2 Worlds. In 1999, Nikola went on to pursue her goals in windsurfing. While living on Maui, she trained and competed in some of the Professional Windsurfing Association's World Cup Tour.

The summer of 2001 was Nikola's first season in the 470 class sailboat and after a successful four year Olympic Campaign in the 470, Girke placed 13th at the Athens Olympic Games. In 2005, Nikola made the switch back to windsurfing. The 5 time Canadian Women's Windsurf Champion took on a new challenge, to compete on the Olympic Circuit on the RSX windsurfer. In July 2007, at the ISAF World Championships, Nikola qualified Canada for a Nation spot at the Olympics. At the 2008 RSX World Championships, she qualified herself for that sole spot to represent Canada at the 2008 Olympic Games. Nikola is amongst only a few athletes who have made the transition from one sport to another and competed in two different events at the Olympic Games.

The Female Athlete of the Year is awarded to an individual athlete or crew with a record of outstanding achievement in national and international competition. The nominated athlete(s) must:

a) Have a record of outstanding achievement in national and international competition from September 1, 2008 to September 1, 2009, and brought recognition to Canadian competitive sailing. Priority will be given to athlete results from international Olympic/Paralympic class competition in North American and ISAF Graded events. However, please note that other sailing accomplishments will be considered.
b) Through behaviour and manner, have set an example for other competitors.
c) Have demonstrated leadership and sportsmanship.
d) Be female.
e) Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada.

CYA Male Athlete of the Year Award

The recipient of the 2009 CYA Male Athlete of the Year Award is David Wright.

David Wright is a member of Canada's National Sailing Team and is the current North American Laser Champion. His home club is the Royal Canadian Yacht Club in Toronto, Ontario.

The Male Athlete of the Year is awarded to an individual athlete or crew with a record of outstanding achievement in national and international competition. The nominated athlete(s) must:

a) Have a record of outstanding achievement in national and international competition from September 1, 2008 to September 1, 2009, and brought recognition to Canadian competitive sailing. Priority will be given to athlete results from international Olympic/Paralympic class competition in North American and ISAF Graded events. However, please note that other sailing accomplishments will be considered.?
b) Through behaviour and manner, have set an example for other competitors.
c) Have demonstrated leadership and sportsmanship.
d) Be male.
e) Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada.

The Marvin McDill Memorial Award

The recipient of the Marvin McDill Memorial Award is Lee Parkhill.

Lee was born in Oakville in 1988, is a member of the Oakville Yacht Squadron and a recipient of the Quest for Gold award. In addition to his passion for sailing lasers, Lee also enjoys rugby.

The Marvin McDill Memorial Award was established to honour the man who returned Canada to the America's Cup Competition in 1983. Also known as the Canadian Sailing Team Rookie of the Year Award, the Marvin McDill Award is presented annually to the athlete/crew with the best results at their first Open World Championship as a member of the Canadian Sailing Team.

The determination of best performance is based on the percentage (%) of boats finishing behind the athlete (crew) at his/her first participation as a member of the Canadian Sailing Team in an Open World Championship.

Nathan R. Cowan Memorial Award

The recipient of the Nathan R. Cowan Memorial Award is Robert Davis.

Robert began sailing an Optimist at the club level in Norway when he was 6 years old. After moving to Canada, he went through Junior Sailing at Kingston Yacht Club. After attaining his Bronze Sail in 2003, Robert moved on to the Race Team and began racing the Byte. In 2005 he was selected for the Ontario Sailing Team, starting in the Laser Radial, and then onto the Laser in 2006. Robert plays high school volleyball, soccer and house league hockey in the winter. He also enjoys downhill skiing and traveling.

Friends and family of Nathan Cowan donated this award to the CYA in 2002 to honour the memory of Nathan Cowan, a Canadian Sailing Team member, who died tragically in a car accident on February 16, 2002. In 2002, after years of determination and persistence, Nathan finally achieved his goal of making the National Team. Nathan’s friends and family have designed the criteria of this award in order to support athletes like Nathan, and help them through these years of hard work. In order to be eligible, the candidate must:

a) Have a record of outstanding achievement in national and international competition, have followed a committed training program during the award year, and brought recognition to Canadian competitive sailing.
b) Have demonstrated an effort in fundraising through sponsorship and private contributions.
c) Be 19 or over as of December 31st in the year of nomination.
d) Must not be a member of the Canadian Sailing Team, or be a carded athlete during the award year.
e) Have demonstrated leadership and sportsmanship.
f) Be a Canadian Citizen or permanent resident of Canada.

William Abbott Senior Trophy

The recipient of the William Abbott Senior Trophy is Eric Cartlidge.

Eric is the Program Director for Ontario Sailing, the Provincial Sporting Association for sailing in Ontario. With a degree in Outdoor Recreation from Lakehead University, Eric continued his education in the area he was passionate about by qualifying as Life Saving First Aid Instructor, Boat Rescue Instructor, Life Saving Instructor and Canadian Yachting Association Pleasure Craft Operator Instructor Trainer. As a volunteer, Eric also dedicates his time as a Director of the Canadian Safe Boating Council, Member of the Ontario Recreational Boating Advisory Council, Member of the Ontario Camping Association, member of the Mt. Everest Environmental Expedition (1999) and Volunteer Ski Instructor- Track 3 Association. Not wanting to leave the water even in his time off, Eric also is passionate about his recreational activities which include canoeing, sea kayaking and sailing.

In 1991, at the second annual CYA Sail Training Symposium, the Sarnia Yacht Club donated a trophy in honour of William Abbott Senior, who as well as being one of Canada's best known yacht builders, has contributed significantly to sail training at Sarnia Yacht Club.

The purpose of the trophy is to recognize the many fine programs run by dedicated volunteers throughout Canada and to share the information among clubs for the improvement of their sail-training programs. In order to be eligible, the nominated program must:

a) Be run by a club or school member in good standing of the Canadian Yachting Association.
b) Employ CYA certified instructor(s).
c) Follow the CYA program and use the CYA material.

Follow www.sail-world.com/canada later this week to hear more about other CYA Award Recipients!