05 October 2022
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The finalists of the 2022 Australian Sailing Awards have been announced, with clubs, volunteers and Australian Sailing Team stars all in the running for recognition at the nation’s peak sailing awards.
In the Male and Female Sailor of the Year categories, finalists include world champions, Olympic gold medalists and Kiel Week champions.
Reigning ILCA 7 Olympic champion, Matt Wearn OAM, is a finalist in the Male Sailor of the Year category, having placed second at the Princess Sofia Trophy Regatta in Palma in April.
Tom Slingsby OAM has also been recognised as a finalist, with significant international wins across three classes during the awards season.
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Chris Symonds, the 2021 Hansa 303 Doubles World Champion, rounds out the category and has been recognised for his significant achievements by being named as a finalist for both Male Sailor of the Year and Para Sailor of the Year categories.
Having previously won Female Sailor of the Year in 2012, Nina Curtis is no stranger to the Australian Sailing Awards. She’s been recognised once again as a finalist in the category for her winning results at multiple SailGP events during the season.
Zoe Thomson is the second of the finalists, having placed first in the ILCA 6 class at Sail Melbourne in January and finishing sixth at Kiel Week.
Mara Stransky is the third finalist included in the Female Sailor of the Year category, with a current world ranking of three and the 2022 Kiel Week trophy under her belt.
Albert Park Yacht Club is the first of the finalists recognised in the Club of the Year category, having demonstrated an inclusive and positive culture, run numerous community programs and doubling their number of coaches in the awards period.
Another club successfully running a variety of inclusive community programs, Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron has hosted three national championship and eight state championship events in the last 12 months.
Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club is the last of the finalists in the Club of the Year category, leading keelboat participation in NSW and successfully running a Sailing Academy which operates on-water six days a week.
The Volunteer of the Year category is also hotly contested this year, with several incredible nominations whittled down to just three – a near impossible task.
Peter Kinsman (VIC), Jennifer Potter (TAS) and Andy and Alison Byne (WA) have all been named as finalists for the national award, with their selfless service, passion and optimism benefitting their local sailing communities to no end.
The winners of each category will be announced at the National Sailing Awards on 4 November at the Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney. Three new inductees to the Australian Sailing Hall of Fame will also be announced at the Gala Dinner.
Male Sailor of the Year
Female Sailor of the Year
Youth Sailor of the Year
Para Sailor of the Year
Offshore Sailor of the Year
Coach of the Year
Club of the Year
Volunteer of the Year
Instructor of the Year
Official of the Year
Sport Promotion Award
Sport Professional Award
SheSails Award
Sustainability Award
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