Australian Sailing Sports Professional finalists
Three outstanding sailing professionals have been recognised as finalists in the Australian Sailing Sports Professional category, with the winner to be announced at the national awards in Sydney on November 4.
Michael Robinson joined Keppel Bay sailing Club (KBSC) in June 2020 as Sailing Manager and absolutely loves his job, the Club, its members, staff, and the sailing team that helps provide outstanding Australian Sailing courses for the region.
The first finalist in the Sports Professional category, Michael has brought a professionalism to the club that has fine-tuned the existing good work of previous management.
Having previously acted as Vice Commodore of Oxley Sailing Club, he has been instrumental in establishing a Tackers program which has helped boost membership of juniors and youth at KBSC.
Tackers and the other junior courses are of paramount importance to Mike, with his main focus being to fill them up and run them successfully.
Participation in Tackers One has increased this year by 22 percent, whilst Tackers Two and Three have both increased by seven percent. Mike says that retention during this time is so, so important!
Michael’s role sees him either volunteering or racing his Impulse at every opportunity he has.
The second finalist is Madeline Salter from Adelaide Sailing Club (ASC). Since joining ASC as a senior sailing member in the 2020-21 season, Madeline has taken on the role of both Sailing School Manager and Membership Manager.
Madeline has made an instant and positive impact on the club, its members and particularly its growing junior members and their families.
She has been ASC’s sailing school and membership manager since September 2021, a role that covers everything from staff recruitment, management, budgeting, risk management, mentoring junior instructors, resource management and maintenance, business development and liaison with schools, corporate groups and individual course participants.
As the club’s Membership Manager, she is integral to the club’s weekly sailing calendar of events which incorporates the planning and delivery of club social events throughout the year.
Madeline also maintains strong working and social relationships with ASC’s volunteer group and adds energy to the older demographic while recruiting new volunteers. She has actively promoted an inclusive and engaging club environment, making members feel safe and supported on and off water.
The last finalist in the Sports Professional category, Hayley Clark from Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club (RFBYC) is an Australian Sailing qualified Sailing Coach and Foil- Lab coach and is Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club (RFBYC) and WA’s State 29er lead coach.
Over the past year, Hayley has made a significant contribution to RFBYC’s junior and youth coaching programs, preparing and executing training programs and competition schedules for the club’s 29er teams and Youth Development fleets.
The Club’s 29er and Youth development fleets have experienced a significant increase in participation at Club training, Club competition, local regattas and State events, under Hayley’s guidance.
Hayley took the Club’s 29 team to the World Championships in Barcelona in July, and her drive, commitment, successes, and passion saw her rewarded with a coaching job to support the Australian Sailing Youth Team at the Youth World Championships at The Hauge.
From 2021-22, Hayley worked at WAIS as an Athlete Wellbeing and Engagement advisor across multiple sports, whilst also balancing a master’s degree in Ocean Leadership.
Hayley was awarded an Elevate Athlete2Coach scholarship with WAIS. This program provides opportunities for coaching professionals to develop skills to work with high-performance athletes.
Offshore Sailor of the Year finalists
Four sailors have been recognised as national finalists in the Offshore Sailor of the Year category, with the winners to be announced at the Australian Sailing Award on November 4.
The first finalists, Rob Gough and John Saul from Derwent Sailing Squadron teamed up this sailing season to sail two-up on Sidewinder in the ROLEX Sydney Hobart’s new Two-Handed Division.
Both very accomplished sailors, they etched their place in the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race history by winning line honours in the inaugural Two-Handed division.
Saul has previously competed in the race several times, including in 1998 when he was 15th over the line, just one of 44 finishers with Computerland, his modified Inglis 47.
On the other hand, Gough is best known as a former windsurfing and Moth World Champion, and a top SB20 sailor.
Matt Allen from Cruising Yacht Club of Australia has contributed to sailing in Australia both on and off water for decades, and the past twelve months has seen a continuation of success in competitive racing for Matt and the exceptional team he has put together.
His Botin 52 Ichi Ban swept the major Blue Water events winning the CYCA’s Blue Water Pointscore on both IRC and ORCi.
His year culminated in his third overall win in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, joining only two other boats Love & War and Freya to have achieved this great feat.
Not only was it the boat’s third win but a fourth win for Matt personally, having won as a crew member earlier on in his ocean racing career.
Matt was crowned Ocean Racer of the Year for 2021/22 by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, winning the Club’s most prestigious Ocean Racing Award.
Earlier in the year, Matt enjoyed more success, finishing 1st in IRC in the Adelaide to Port Lincoln Yacht Race, 1st in IRC at Lincoln Race Week and 1st in the NSW IRC Championship.
The last finalist in the category, Lisa Blair is the first woman to sail solo, non-stop and unassisted around Antarctica, arriving back into Albany (WA) on May 25 this year on board her yacht Climate Action Now after 92 days at sea.
She had set out on the journey from the Western Australian coastal city in February, aiming to break the world record for the fastest unassisted voyage around Antarctica.
The previous record was held by Russian Fedor Konyukhov, who completed the journey in 102 days, 56 minutes, and 50 seconds back in 2008.
Ms Blair first attempted to break that record in 2017 but was forced to abandon her goal after her yacht was demasted in storm conditions more than 1000nm from land.
Five years on, Lisa has succeeded in claiming the title, beating the previous record by 10 days – finishing the voyage in just 92 days, 18 hours, 21 minutes, and 20 seconds.
Instructor of the Year Finalists
Three finalists have been announced in the Instructor of the Year category for the Australian Sailing Awards to be held on Friday November 4.
The first of the finalists, Holly Hunt has worked at Western Australia’s Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club (RFBYC) as a casual instructor and coach since December 2019.
She is an Australian Sailing accredited Dinghy Instructor, OutThereSailing Instructor, Tackers Instructor and Sailing Coach, who has completed her foil lab accreditation as she looks towards instructing Learn to Wing programs.
During the nomination period, Holly worked over 430 hours at the club’s Dinghy & Training Centre (DTC), with her major strengths revolving around instructing and engaging the club’s teenage and youth development programs.
She is an active Moth sailor and Windsurfer who is also a member of the Akamai Race Team, which is comprised of dedicated female youth sailors who represent RFBYC in WA fleet and match racing events.
Over the past 12 months, Holly has also been heavily involved in the RFBYC instructor mentor program.
Whether it is leading a group, working one-on-one, or mentoring assistant instructors, Holly has a great love and passion for sailing instructing. She is patient and nurturing with our assistant instructors and is always willing to pass on her knowledge.
Zoe Morris from Somers Yacht Club is the next finalist in the category, having been an instructor for the last three seasons and an assistant instructor for four seasons prior, teaching both juniors and adults in learn to sail courses.
Zoe has been a member of Somers Yacht Club all her life and learnt to sail herself through Somers Yacht Club Sailing School.
Her passion and enthusiasm for sailing is seen through her manner while teaching and around the club on race days, encouraging fun while teaching and always considering safety and the best learning outcomes.
Zoe has become one of Somers more senior instructors, taking on the mentoring and the leadership requirements needed for the new assistants and instructors.
Her vibrant manner instills self-belief into the people she works with while her patience is never wavering, allowing people all the time they need to learn a new skill.
Zoe has also worked tirelessly with one young member who has cerebral palsy, giving him great confidence and the skills so he too may continue to sail in the future in his own boat.
She has also volunteered her time to help lead many junior events and last year became president of the Youth Committee, demonstrating both her own self development and her leadership skills.
The final individual recognised as a finalist in the category, Scott Davis is the Principal instructor at Cairns Yacht Club (CYC) and over the last nine-and-a-half years has developed an outstanding youth program, which includes the mentoring and coaching of junior instructors while inspiring parents to participate and volunteer in these programs.
Scott has committed every Friday afternoon and Saturday morning (during school terms) to the running of Tackers and other School and Junior programs, training over 1000 students and mentoring more than 15 junior instructors.
An engaging individual who has a contagious love for sailing that he passes this onto the youngsters at every lesson, he is an instructor who goes above and beyond for everyone he comes in contact with.
Scott has a unique way of ‘tuning in’ with the young sailors who range from six to 13 years of age, encouraging them to be inclusive, vigilant of their peers, respectful to other instructors and safety conscious.
Scott also has the nous to quickly identify the kids with ADHD, ADD and kids on the Spectrum and therefore adjusts his teaching style which as one parent said is: “Quite remarkable.”
Scott’s dedication to the club has seen him give up his entire weekends for the CYC, Junior Sailing, regattas and working bees.
National Sport Promotion Finalists
Three outstanding national finalists have been announced in the Sport Promotion category, with the winner to be announced at the Australian Sailing Awards on November 4 in Sydney.
The first finalist in the category, World Champion Nick Bez is no stranger to Windsurfing. President of the Windsurfer Class Association of Australia for the past five years, he has been instrumental in the organisation and growth of the class in Australia.
Through his role, he recently oversaw the 45th Australian Windsurfer Class Championships which were conducted from January 20-January 23, 2022 at Parkdale Yacht Club (PYC) in Victoria.
It attracted 112 athletes from all jurisdictions except Western Australia (impacted by COVID-19 related travel restrictions), with competitors aged 14 years and 77 years.
The event generated significant local and international media attention through a variety of digital channels, including a specific news post on the World Sailing website and a feature on the Channel 7 weather during the event.
A comprehensive post-regatta survey conducted by independent researchers Mobium Group was completed by 81 competitors (72 percent of those registered for the event).
The feedback about the Championship was highly positive and complementary. According to the report; “There was widespread appreciation and praise for the event – on water and on the land.”
Mike Middleton is the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron (RQYS) official photographer and founder of Royal Queensland TV (RTV), an outlet which over the past 18 months has grown into a vibrant expose of life on the water.
Affectionately known as “Spikey Mike”, he captures amazing footage and action shots of every regatta, championship and everyday sailing and cruising event that is hosted or organised out of the RQYS.
His coverage originally became a smash hit with members excited to see themselves in action, prompting Mike to think bigger – nothing seemed to excite the participants more than reliving the glory and excitement of the on-water action on the big screen!
RQTV now has its own registered trademark and has received a lot of interest from the International Council of Yacht Clubs. They are interested in working with Mike to assist them in sharing the concept with other Yacht Clubs around the world.
In addition to RQTV, Mike is always on hand to capture Club presentation and award nights and social events for the Squadron’s history, and assists with the organisation of media publications, annual Magazines, newsletters, brochures and general Club collateral.
Last but not least, Melvyn Steiner from the Royal Motor Yacht Club Toronto took over as the chairperson of the Heaven Can Wait Organising Committee in 2013, and by 2015 it had become the centerpiece of the overarching and hugely successful Lakefest event on Lake Macquarie.
Heaven Can Wait consists of a 24-hour round the buoys race on Lake Macquarie with a 12 Hour and One Lap Dash race held as pre-cursors, attracting quite a number of multihulls from the local area and beyond.
It is a major fundraiser for the Hunter Branch of Cancer Council NSW – with 10 percent of the funds raised going to Lake Macquarie Marine Rescue. As of 2022, RMYC has raised more than $500,000 in support of the two charities.
On the back of the successes of Heaven Can Wait and after consultation with those involved, it was concluded that the event could be part of something bigger. Mel garnered support from the other clubs around Lake Macquarie and Lakefest was born in 2015, incorporating Heaven Can Wait and featuring several interclub races and regattas.
Today, Lakefest has expanded to run over a 4-week period and in addition to sailing events, includes classic boat building and restoration and a Lakefest Ball.
Official of the Year Finalists
In the extremely competitive category of Official of the Year, four national finalists have been selected for their contribution to sailing in Australia as well as overseas.
The first of the four finalists, Andre Blasse from Black Rock Yacht Club and the Australian OK Dinghy Association, has served as a volunteer at the highest level for more than 20 years, including at three Olympic Games and endless international and local regattas.
Andre’s volunteering covers several disciplines: Measurement, Race Management and Sailing Administration.
Andre has been a strong advocate for inclusive sailing whilst Commodore at Black Rock Yacht Club.
This involves the Inaugural Optimist Girls weekend; mentoring and training a youth indigenous club member in race management and working with encouraging disabled youth sailing at Black Rock Yacht Club for the Berendale School.
At club level Andre has been Commodore, Vice Commodore, Rear Commodore and Sailing Captain. He has also been OK Dinghy Australia President, Treasurer, and measurer; OK Dinghy International President and Chief Measurer and Finn Class Chief Measurer.
He was appointed Chief Measurer for the 2022 Finn Gold Cup World Championships in Malcesine Italy, and at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics he was a Member of the Worlds Sailing Technical Committee – ITO for the Finn Class.
In 2019 Andre also served as NTO/Deputy at the Finn Gold Cup World Championships and Chief Measurer at the Finn Europeans in Athens Greece.
Marcus Cooper, Commodore of Henley Sailing Club (HSC), is a qualified Race Officer at National and State level, and holds dinghy, dinghy racing, powerboat, and safety boat instructor qualifications.
This past season he contributed to the conduct of Henley Sailing Club’s local racing program, the club’s leg of the tri-series (including managing the event), Mirror States at Goolwa Aquatic Club, SA Summer of Sail at Royal South Australian Yacht Squadron (including assistant management), Opti States at Largs Bay Sailing Club, Opti frostbite at Goolwa and Kite Foiling heats at Henley.
In recent years, he also contributed to multiple youth tri series events at other clubs and the 2020 Mosquito nationals at ASC.
He often gives up his own time for sailing (a proven accomplished sailor himself) to help run sailing programs locally or at other clubs.
Well respected on and off the water, Marcus has mentored the Brighton and Seacliff Yacht Club Race Officer Lisa Brock, encouraged others to complete their Race Officers qualifications and is always found at Henley, or along the coast, teaching and mentoring others.
Whether it’s helping with tuning your boat, driving rescue boats and laying marks, or talking about the weather, a learning opportunity is never missed. He contributes to the 505 class as State and National secretary, including helping to write the current bid for the 2025 Worlds at ASC.
Hugh Leicester from Middle Harbour Amateur Sailing Club, Manly 16ft Skiff Sailing Club and the ILCA World Council is an outstanding International Race Officer (IRO) officiating as an Australian Official for dinghy sailing at countless international regattas.
Hugh has been involved in running ILCA World Sailing Championships since 2001, has acted as a World Sailing Course Representative and has been an IRO since 2014.
Hugh acted as Race Officer and World Sailing Course Representative at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics for ILCA sailing dinghies. He was also an ARO appointed by the RYA for the London Olympics in 2012.
Other recent World competition events officiated by Hugh include the 2022 Mexico and 2019 Japan Olympic Test Events as well as the Enoshima World Cup Series.
Hugh is currently Vice-President of the ILCA World Council, a group that he has been a member of since 2000.
Hugh is also on the ILCA Advisory Council and the ILCA Events & Race Management Committee.
Within Australia, Hugh is a member of Australian Sailing’s NSW & ACT Race Officials Committee.
Hugh served as the Vice-Chairman Australian Laser Association in the late 90s and the Asian Pacific Chairman through until 2010.
He also contributes to local competition, including as Principal Race Officer for the 2020/21 Australian 13ft & 16ft Skiff Regatta and for the previous five years.
The last finalist in the division, Ed Vincent from Darwin Sailing Club and Cruising Yacht Club of Australia has been heavily involved in volunteering and officiating at the Darwin Sailing Club since his arrival in the Northern Territory (NT) over eight years ago.
Prior to his arrival in the NT, Ed was active in sailing officiating and administration in Tasmania where he served on the board of Yachting Tasmania, including terms as Vice President and President, as well as many years on the general committee of Tamar Yacht Club.
In 2022 he completed a six-year term as President of the Cruising Yacht Association of the Northern Territory (CYANT).
Ed holds National accreditation as a Race Officer, Judge and Equipment Auditor and is also a member of the Australian Sailing Race Officials Committee. For the last two years he has been active in the Australian Sailing Race Officials Working Group which has reviewed the organisation’s policy, training, and accreditation of Race Officials.
Ed has spent much of the last few years mentoring emerging officials and is currently conducting a formal mentoring program for new and emerging race officials at his home club.
Additionally, over the 2021-22 sailing season, Ed has officiated at numerous events nation-wide, including as a Principal Race Officer at Sail Sydney, the Minnow Nationals and the Oceania Laser Masters, and on the Jury at Sail Melbourne.
Australian Sailing congratulates all of the finalists on their selection. The winner will be announced at the Australian Sailing Awards at the National Maritime Museum on Friday November 4.
To buy a ticket or read more about the awards, please click here.
