Finalists named
The 2023 Australian Sailing Awards finalists have been announced.
10 October 2023
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The finalists of the 2023 Australian Sailing Awards have been announced, with clubs, volunteers and sailing stars from around the country all in the running for recognition at the nation’s peak sailing awards.
In the Female and Male Sailor of the Year categories, finalists include major regatta medallists, world champions and Olympic gold medallists.
After an outstanding international season, it is a clean sweep for the Australian Sailing Team ILCA 6 squad in the Female Sailor of the Year category with Casey Imeneo (VIC), Mara Stransky (QLD) and Zoe Thomson (WA) announced as the three finalists.
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Imeneo secured a stunning Bronze at the French Olympic Week regatta in Hyeres from a world-class fleet of 94 boats and finished in the top 10 at Kiel Week 2023.
Reigning Australian Sailing Female Sailor of the Year Mara Stransky is back again, having accrued a remarkable string of top 10 finishes at several international regattas. Zoe Thomson is the third finalist, with the Western Australian putting the world on notice when she won Silver at the Palma regatta in March.
Australian Sailing Futures athlete Will Sargent (TAS) is a first-time finalist in the Male Sailor of the Year category after winning the SB20 World Championship and Youth World Championship in June this year. He will face stiff competition from 2022 Male Sailor of the Year and three-time SailGP Champion Tom Slingsby OAM (NSW), and 2018 winner Matt Wearn OAM (WA) who won the Paris 2024 Olympic Test Event in the ILCA 7.
2023 has seen the Club of the Year Award split into two, providing the opportunity for clubs to be recognised for their achievements regardless of size.
The Cruising Yacht Club of South Australia (SA), Keppel Bay Sailing Club (QLD) and Woollahra Sailing Club (NSW) have been named as finalists for the Club of the Year (Category A) award, while Humpybong Yacht Club (QLD), Richmond River Sailing and Rowing Club (NSW) and Sandy Bay Sailing Club (TAS) have been named as the three finalists for Club of the Year (Category B).
As always, the volunteer of the year category will be hotly contested. The judges reviewed incredible nominations from around Australia and have whittled them down to just three – a near impossible task. Felicia Brown (VIC), Sarah Cooper (SA) and Anton Mann (WA) have each contributed hugely to their local sailing communities, selflessly and continuously giving their time and passion to the benefit of all.
The winners of each of the categories will be announced at the National Sailing Awards on Friday 3 November at the Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney.
The Australian Sailing Hall of Fame will also welcome three new inductees at the Gala Dinner. Tickets to attend the night can be purchased here.
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