Finalists announced for 2018 Australian Sailing Awards

Off the back of another hugely successful sailing season in both Australia and around the world, athletes, clubs, officials and contributors will be honoured at the 2018 Australian Sailing Awards and Hall of Fame Induction dinner at Doltone House in Sydney on Friday 19 October.

Today, the finalists were announced across the 12 categories, with the winners to be announced on the night. Some of the most decorated world sailors are amongst this year’s nominees, along with some outstanding contributors from clubs across the country.

There were a record number of nominations for the 2018 Female Sailor of the Year, with 49er team and last year’s winners, Natasha Bryant and Annie Wilmot again nominated after a stellar year as part of the Australian Sailing Team.

The pair will face competition from fellow 470 Australian representatives Nia Jerwood and Monique de Vries and Nacra 17 sailors, Lisa Darmanin and Haylee Outteridge. In addition, the first female to ever win an ocean race, Wendy Tuck who won the Clipper Round the World Race is also nominated.

Last year’s Male Sailor of the Year award winner, Glen Ashby, has again been nominated. The America’s Cup sailor will face tough competition from Australian Sailing Team members Nathan Outteridge and Matt Wearn, World Match Racing champion Harry Price and renowned ocean sailor Matt Allen.

The para-sailing scene has been big across the world with Australians being front and centre of the action. Last year’s winner Matthew Bugg has been nominated again for his outstanding performance throughout the year. Bugg will face competition from Chelseann Osbone, Victorian 2.4m champion Neil Patterson, HANSA 303 world champion Chris Symonds and offshore sailor Walter Philippe.

This year the awards will also feature the Offshore Sailor of the Year Award to recognise the amazing achievements of Australian sailors winning offshore racing events at home and around the world.

Wendy Tuck’s efforts in winning the Clipper Round the World Race have seen her earn a nomination, along with Sophie Ciszek who was aboard the Volvo Ocean Race second place-getter MAPFRE.

Matt Allen, who set race records whilst winning both the Rolex Sydney Hobart and Brisbane to Gladstone Races as well as posting wins in the IRC and ORC Australian Championship, is also nominated with Melbourne to Osaka competitors Rupert Henry and Greg O’Shea rounding out the field.

A hot field for the Youth Sailor of the Year Awards includes Laser Radial World Champion Zac Littlewood, 420 World Youth Championship silver medallists Otto Henry and Rome Featherstone, AST 49er skipper Natasha Bryant and Australian 420 champion, Cole Tapper.

The gala dinner will also feature the induction of five new inductees to the Australian Sailing Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame is now in its second year, as it aims to celebrate the sport’s history and to celebrate those who have brought so much to sport.

2018 Australian Sailing Awards Finalists:

Male Sailor of the Year
Matt Allen (NSW)
Glenn Ashby (Vic)
Nathan Outteridge (NSW)
Harry Price (NSW)
Matt Wearn (WA)

Female Sailor of the Year
Natasha Bryant and Annie Wilmot (NSW)
Lisa Darmanin (NSW)
Nia Jerwood and Monique de Vries (WA)
Haylee Outteridge (NSW)
Wendy Tuck (NSW)

Sailor of the Year with a disability
Matthew Bugg (Tas)
Chelseann Osborne (QLD)
Neil Patterson (Vic)
Walter Philippe (WA)
Chris Symonds (Tas)

Youth Sailor of the Year
Natasha Bryant (NSW)
Otto Henry and Rome Featherstone (WA/NSW)
Zac Littlewood (WA)
Cole Tapper (NSW)

Offshore Sailor of the Year
Matt Allen (NSW)
Sophie Ciszek (Vic)
Rupert Henry and Greg O’Shea (NSW)
Wendy Tuck (NSW)

Volunteer Award
Rob Edgar (SA)
Tim Haffner (NSW)
David Kemp (Qld)

Club of the Year
Canberra Yacht Club (ACT)
Keppel Bay Sailing Club (Qld)
Royal Freshwater Yacht Club (WA)
Sandringham Yacht Club (Vic)

Official of the Year
David LeRoy (Vic)
Trevor Milton (WA)
Mike Rodgers (SA)

Coach of the Year
Michael Blackburn (NSW)
Mike Leigh (NSW)
Ben Walkemayer (WA)

Instructor of the Year
Hamilton Nesci (Vic)
Alan Polglaze (WA)
Locky Pryor (NSW)

 

Photo:  Australian Sailing Vice President Sarah Kenny, 2017 Female Sailors of the Year Natasha Bryant and Annie Wilmot, 2017 Male Sailor of the Year Glenn Ashby and Australian Sailing President, Matt Allen

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