Issue date
Both coaching and officiating in the sport of yachting requires dedication, commitment and a thorough attention to detail. These finalists have all demonstrated all this, and more, in their individual roles, each enhancing New Zealand’s reputation as a global heavyweight in the sport of yachting along the way.
Like the sailors that they work alongside, their status and success help to inspire a new generation to become involved in the fields of coaching, race management, performance and technical expertise.
On Friday, 23 November the winner of the 2012 Singapore Airlines Coach/Official of the Year will be announced at the 2012 Yachting Excellence Awards Dinner.
Shane Borrell – One of three New Zealanders selected by ISAF to the team of technical experts to oversee racing at the London Games, Shane Borrell brought his significant expertise as an Umpire for the Women’s Match Racing event at the 2012 Olympic Games.
Jez Fanstone – With Jez as their coach Peter Burling and Blair Tuke won New Zealand’s first ever Olympic medal in the 49er skiff class with silver at the London Games in August. Earlier in the year Jez’s young charges won silver at the 49er World Championship in Croatia.
Russell Green – Professional and hugely experienced across many facets of yachting Russell Green was a Judge at the 2012 London Olympic Games.
Nathan Handley – With them from the outset of their partnership, Nathan Handley has coached and nurtured Team Jolly - Jo Aleh and Polly Powrie – through the high points and set backs of their four year campaign in the Women’s 470 through to the very proud moment of an Olympic Gold medal in Weymouth this year.
Aaron McIntosh – An Olympic medallist himself Aaron McIntosh is now one of the world’s foremost windsurfing coaches with some spectacular highlights over the past twelve months. Under his charge Dutch rider Dorian van Rijsselberge won last year's world championships, then Sail for Gold regatta, going on to emphatic Olympic glory in Weymouth this year.
John Parrish –World class and internationally renowned in his field New Zealand’s John Parrish was Race Officer for the Laser and Laser Radial at the 2012 London Olympic Games.
Ralph Roberts – This year Ralph added another milestone to his long list of significant accomplishments in yachting administration when he acted as Chairman of the Jury at the 2012 London Paralympic Games.
David Slyfield – Performance planner to New Zealand’s Olympic sailing medalists Sly’s analytical approach ensures our athletes deliver their peak performance when it matters most. Key to the campaigns of Peter Burling & Blair Tuke, Jo Aleh & Polly Powrie and others Sly ensures all boxes are ticked and no stone left unturned.
Sara Winther – During 2012 Sara was coach to New Zealand’s most successful Laser Masters Worlds Team ever. At the 2012 Laser Masters Worlds in Brisbane she coached the New Zealand team to win three of the World Titles on offer – Scott Leith won the Apprentice Masters title, Mark Orams won the Masters title and Mike Keeton won the Grand Masters title.
