| VICTORIA'S SAILORS OF THE YEAR NAMED SARAH BLANCK AND GLENN ASHBY TAKE OUT STATE'S TOP SAILING AWARDS OLYMPIANS Sarah Blanck and Glenn Ashby have taken out top honours at the annual Victorian Yachting awards – both now named Sailor of the Year an unprecedented six times each. Former state sailor of the year, John Bertrand AM, was guest presenter at the Melbourne Sport and Aquatic Centre (Friday night), where around 140 people saw Olympic Laser Radial sailor Blanck named Female Sailor of the Year and Olympic Tornado star Ashby receive the Male Sailor of the Year award. Thirty two year old Blanck, a member at Royal Brighton Yacht Club, came an impressive fourth at the Beijing Olympics last year and fifth in the 2008 Laser Radial World Championships. She is a former world Europe class champion and was Australia's top placed sailor at the 2004 Olympics. ``I was really surprised,'' Blanck said. ``I didn't even know I was nominated! But of course it is a big honour and I really appreciate being home.'' Blanck is heading to Denmark and Japan for a five week coaching stint. Ashby, 29, was named the Tornado World champion in 2008, and proved his sailing prowess winning a silver medal at the Beijing Olympics. In the international A Class World Titles in NSW, Australia , in February this year, Ashby sailed away with the World Championship. ``This award is a pleasant surprise,'' Ashby said. ``Sarah has been at the top of her game for some time, and I have had a massive year, the biggest 12 months of all time!'' In addition to his sailing success, Ashby and wife Melissa became the proud parents of a baby girl just eight weeks ago. Disabled Sailor of the Year Krista Bailey said she was surprised and honoured to win her award. ``Especially when I saw who I was up against,'' Bailey laughed. ``It was a big surprise.'' Bailey will also head off oversease next year to compete in the World Championships in the UK. Yacht Club of the Year went to the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria. Commodore Tony Spencer said he was pleased with the many awards his club had accumulated over the night. ``The award is for the members, the volunteers and all the people associated with our club,'' Mr Spencer said. With nearly 1000 members, Mr Spencer said the club's success could be attributed to it's fantastic culture. ``It's a great place to learn to sail and to sail at,'' Mr Spencer said. Fifteen-year-old Lloyd Collings received the Junior Sailor of the Year. ``It's fantastic,'' the Woodleigh School student said. ``It was great to win last year as a pair, but to win it on my own is really good.'' A special award was given to Sandringham Yacht Club member Dr Rob Cuthbertson and duty manager Paul Corield, who helped save the life of a fellow member after he suffered a heart attack at the club late last year. The two received the Special Services to Yachting award in recognition of their marvellous efforts. Ashby and Blanck have won the State's top sailing honours an unprecedented six times each. Previous sailor of the year winners include Sydney Olympic gold medalists Tom King and Mark Turnbull (2000, 01), two-time champion John Bertrand (1977 & 1984), Dual Sydney-Hobart winner Lou Abrahams 2006 and handicapped solo around the word sailor Vinny Lauwers (2001). Award winners for 2009 are: Services to Yachting Award | Rob Ballard | | Alisdair McBride | | David Staley | | Geoff Watson | | Guy Bancroft | PRESIDENT AWARD John Donaldson Special services to Yachting Rob Cuthbertson Paul Corfield Sailing World Speed record winner Macquarie Innovation iNSTRUCTOR OF THE YEAR Graham Mason Don McKenzie RACE OFFICIAL OF THE YEAR david LeRoy
COACH OF THE YEAR Johnny Rodgers MEDIA AND PUBLICITY AWARD The Bendigo Advertiser Junior Sailor of the Year Lloyd Collings Youth Sailor of the Year Andrew Gillies & James Sly
Disabled Sailor of the Year Krista Bailey Female Sailor of the Year Sarah Blanck Male Sailor of the Year Glenn Ashby Yacht Club of the Year Royal Yacht Club of Victoria Victorian Junior Regatta 3rd James Oliver 2nd Nicola Dixon and Nicola Armstrong 1st Lloyd Collings Victorian Youth Regatta 3rd Tom Klemens and Stuart Baird 2nd George Davies and Tim Hannah 1st James Sly and Andrew Gillies Victorian Dinghy Championship 3rd Jack Graves 2nd Lloyd Collings 1st Murray Shaw
Victorian Catamaran Championship 3rd Peter Nikitin 2nd Ben Deed 1st David Brewer Victorian Trailable Championships 3rd Brian Murphy 2nd Peter Kalin 1st Phil Mannes CBH Sportsboats 1st Sam White CBH Division 1 3rd Charlie Helquist 2nd Brian Murphy 1st Peter Kalin CBH Division 2 3rd Aron Gavin 2nd Colin Theodore 1st Phil Mannes PBH Division 1 Bill McDonald PBH Division 2 Alan Pearce Boating Victoria Nav Rally Championship 3rd John Emmins/Jack Emmins Beaumaris Motor Yacht Squadron 2nd Peter Clancy/ Rebecca Clancy Beaumaris Motor Yacht Squadron 1st Bob Battye/ Alan Crighton Royal Victoria Motor Yacht Club
CLUB MARINE RANGE SERIES MAJOR WINNERS Division 3 1st PH Spellbound – I. Ewing 1st IRC, 1st AMS Assailant – T. Say Division 2 1st PH Stitched Up – P. Jackson 1st IRC, 1st AMS Surprise – D. Ellis Division 1 1st PH Alibi – D. Hambleton 1st AMS Horizon Sprint – F. Hammond 1st IRC Reverie – A. Woodward Division 0 1st PH Audi Centre Melbourne – C. Dare 1st IRC Dekadence – P. Coombs ASSOCIATION CUP WINNERS Vice Presidents Trophy Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron IRC B Challenge Trophy Sandringham Yacht Club Presidents Trophy / AMS B Challenge Trophy / AMS A Challenge Trophy / IRC A Challenge Trophy / 2009 Association Cup Winner Royal Yacht Club of Victoria AUSTRALIAN WOMEN'S KEELBOAT REGATTA 1st IRC, 1st AMS, 1st PH Winner Top Gun – Erin Peters Victorian Schools Team Racing Championship Docklands Haileybury College has been nominated to represent Victoria in the National Schools Team Racing Championships after winning the Victoria Harbour Schools Sailing Series Finals Special thanks to Helly Hanson, VicHealth, Mariner Boating Holidays, Victoria – The Place to Be, Club Marine, Ronstan, Melbourne Sport and Aquatic Centre, Yachting Victoria staff and Artistic Taste Creativity. Ends: Jennifer Milligan Yachting Victoria Media & PR PH: 0448 884 993 | 
