Yachting Excellence Awards 2009

 
Photos by Natalie Fox, Foxfotography 

Singapore Airlines Sailor of the Year – Brad Jackson & Stu Bannatyne

Jackson and Bannatyne are two of the world’s most experienced and successful ocean racers, and now in an elite group of three, joining another New Zealander Mark Christensen as the only sailors to have won the round the world race three times. The VOR 08/09 was the tenth edition of the Round the World Race that started as the Whitbread in 1973 and has since become a very significant race for NZ sailors

Sam Meech, Bianca Barbarich-Bacher & Alex Maloney combined to take the Young Sailor of the Year title. Sam won the gold medal at the ISAF World Youth Sailing Champs sailed in Brazil this year after an impressive display of sailing skill and sportsmanship, winning with a huge 31 point margin over his nearest rival. Team mates Bianca and Alex sailed to gold at the Open Women’s International 420 Worlds in Italy and also won the 420 Junior World Championships.

The Yachting New Zealand President’s Award went to the Team New Zealand 2000 Trust. The Team New Zealand 2000 Trust is a charitable trust established following the successful challenge by Sir Peter Blake and his team for the America’s Cup in 1995 and successful defence in 2000 for the purpose of distributing surplus funds to chosen charities and charitable projects. One of those was the ‘Have a Go’ programme that has become so successful, introducing young New Zealanders to sailing who would not normally have the opportunity.

Finalists and recipients for Honour and Merit awards are listed below.

Neville England – (deceased)
Bryan Robson Leckie (deceased)
Brian Peet
Ross Currie
Gary Smith
Greg Harrex
John Bullot
Jon Olds
Judy Francis
Justin Hurst
Terry Coles
Trevor Hawke
Vera Mummery
Bill Mitchinson
John Buck
Kevin Whitehead
Graham Catley

Merit Awards

Michael Bullot
Emirates Team New Zealand
NZB2 Blind Sailing
Roger Pagani & crew
Reuben Corbett & crew
Thomas Saunders
Bucklands Beach Yacht Club Team Racing Team
NZ 420 Worlds Team
NZ Splash Worlds Team
Blair Tuke
Sam Meech
Adam Minoprio – Black Match Racing
Brad Jackson & Stu Bannatyne
Mark Perrow
Bianca Barbarich-Bacher & Alex Maloney
Declan Burn
Finn Drummond and Francisco Lardies
Paul Snow-Hansen & Jason Saunders
Hamish Pepper & Craig Monk
Tony Mutter
David Endean
Phil Jameson
Karl Purdie
Neville Crichton

Singapore Airlines Sailor of the Year – Sir Bernard Fergusson Trophy Finalists

Black Match Racing Team
Brad Jackson & Stu Bannatyne
Mark Perrow
Michael Bullot
Bianca Barbarich Bacher & Alexandra Maloney
Blair Tuke
Hamish Pepper & Craig Monk

Young Sailor of the Year Finalists

Declan Burn
Finn Drummond & Francisco Lardies
Paul Snow-Hansen & Jason Saunders
Sam Meech
Bucklands Beach Yacht Club Team Racing Team
NZL 420 Worlds Team
NZL Splash Worlds Team
Bianca Barbarich-Bacher & Alexandra Maloney
Blair Tuke