Great achievements in Yachting Excellence Awards

Great achievements to be highlighted in Yachting Excellence Awards

Date Released: 22 October 2008
From: Zoe Hawkins

Once a year the top echelon of New Zealand sailors are recognised for their achievements with a nomination for the Yachting Excellence Awards. These people, coming from the ranks of Olympic, America’s Cup, Volvo Ocean Race, and other great sailing disciplines, have reached the pinnacle of yachting on a national and international level, and join the likes of Sir Peter Blake, Russell Coutts, Mike Sanderson, Barbara Kendall, and Team New Zealand in our sport’s hall of fame.

The naming of finalists and winners marks the distillation of years of training, development, preparation and competition for those involved. It celebrates the hardships and the innovation that makes New Zealand one of the most successful yachting countries in the world.

Those who will be recognised at the Yachting Excellence Awards on Friday 28 November are:

Sailor of the Year 2008 Nominees
Thomas Ashley – Olympic Boardsailing
Barbara Kendall – Olympic Boardsailing
Ben Lutze – International Splash Class
Andrew Murdoch – Olympic Laser
Karl Purdie – International OK Dinghy Class
Daniel Slater – Olympic Finn

Young Sailor of the Year 2008 Nominees
Peter Burling & Carl Evans – Olympic 470
Cushla Hume-Merry – Laser Radial
Ben Goodwin – International 420
Ben Lutze – International Splash Class
Andy Maloney – International Laser
Sam Meech - International Laser
University Match Racing Team – Match Racing

Yachting New Zealand Merit Award Recipients 2008
Blackmatch Racing – International Match Racing
University Match Racing Team – International University Match Racing
Thomas Ashley – Olympic Boardsailing
Grant Beck - Coaching
Cushla Hume-Merry – Laser Radial
Barbara Kendall - Olympic Boardsailing
Ben Lutze - International Splash Class
Andy Maloney - International Laser
Dave MacKay - Boatbuilding
Sam Meech – International Laser
John Morgan - Coaching
Andrew Murdoch – Olympic Laser
NZL Yachting Trust Youth Team – International Youth Sailing
NZL Splash Worlds Team – International Splash Class
Karl Purdie – International OK Dinghy
Daniel Slater – Olympic Finn
Yachting New Zealand Honour Award Recipients 2008
This category recognises long-term service and achievement in yachting, bringing hard-working volunteers and unsung heroes into the spotlight. While awards are not what these people pursue, their hard work and dedication make them deserving recipients.

Larry Brockliss – Panmure Yacht and Boating Club
Joe Butterfield – YNZ Judging Panel
Julie Carrick – Vauxhall Yacht Club
Ian Clouston – Takapuna Boating Club
Grant Cunningham – RS: X Association
David Glen – Glendowie Boating Club
Adrienne Greenwood – Yachting New Zealand Judging Panel
Richard McAlister – Royal Akarana Yacht Club
Ian MacLennan – NZ Paper Tiger Owners Association
Denis Mowbray – Yachting New Zealand Board
Don & Sue Mason – RNZYS & Council for Sailing for Blind and Visually Impaired
John Parrish – RS:X Association & YNZ Judging Panel
Lloyd Rance – Muritai Yacht Club
Judith Salthouse – Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron
Maurice Scott – Worser Bay Boating Club
Malcolm & Barbara Waller – Sailability Auckland
Ray Welson – Yachting New Zealand Judging Panel

A further category in the Yachting Excellence Award is The President’s Award, which recognises the work done by a club or organisation in promoting, supporting or developing the interests of yachting in New Zealand.

Winners of the Sailor of the Year and Young Sailor of the Year titles, and the Presidents Award will be announced at the Yachting Excellence Awards Presentation and Dinner to be held at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron on Friday 28 November 2008.

ENDS

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