Issue date
Ten sailors or teams have been selected to receive a Yachting New Zealand Performance Award in 2016, recognising outstanding performance and/or exceptional performances in the sport of yachting over the past twelve months. Read about the Performance Award winners.
The Yachting New Zealand Performance Awards winners for 2016 are…
- Jo Aleh and Polly Powrie- Women’s 470, Silver Olympics 2016
Golden girls from the London Games Jo Aleh and Polly Powrie finished their 2016 Olympic campaign with a remarkable event which saw the pair come back from two disqualifications early on to claim silver – a result which they say “felt like gold”. Showing true tenacity, experience, and determination under pressure, the 470 girls came back fighting in the second half of the regatta in Rio de Janeiro following a host of strong performances throughout the year. Together they have now won five World Championship medals in the 470 class including a silver this year at the World Championship event in Argentina in February. Rio 2016 signalled Aleh’s third Olympic Games, having previously campaigned in the Laser Class to compete at the Beijing Games in 2008, with the second two cycles in alongside crew Powrie in the 470.
- Peter Burling and Blair Tuke – 49er, Gold Olympics 2016
The 49er men’s pair have amassed an incredible run of victories throughout their two Olympic campaigns which was topped off by an outstanding performance in Rio de Janeiro. Burling and Tuke showed true dominance of the men’s skiff fleet to secure Gold with an untouchable 34-point lead before the medal race was even sailed. Achievements this year have included 1st at the Kieler Woche in Germany, as well as winning the 49er and 49er FX World Championship in Florida in February, which was followed by a highly successful month in April where the pair took out both the Sailing World Cup in Hyeres as well as the 49er and 49erFX European Championship in Barcelona. The Rio Games marked Burling’s third Olympic cycle following his debut at the 2008 Beijing Games in the 470 class. Alongside Tuke the pair have become a formidable force, converting their silver from London into Rio gold this year as well as expand their talents to Team New Zealand in their next Americas Cup Campaign.
- Rick Dodson, Chris Sharp & Andrew May – Sonar class, 4th Paralympics 2016
The sonar team representing New Zealand at the Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro this year finished agonisingly close to the podium after a brilliant performance in the final race where they crossed the line in second. Despite being drawn on points for third place, the kiwi team lost on countback to finish their campaign in fourth. Skippered by America’s Cup sailor and multiple World Champion Richard Dodson, the team had previously achieved 4th place at the Sailing World Cup in Melbourne in December 2015.
- Sarah Dunckley – Hansa Liberty class, 1st World Championships 2016
Karori’s Sarah Dunkley showed true form to win the Hansa Liberty Class world competition in Medemblik, Holland this year in June. From a fleet of 31 competitors the 39-year-old sailed incredibly well to come in nine points ahead of her nearest rival. Dunkley originally had no plans to enter the competition despite having won the New Zealand title earlier in the year, but after spotting a cheap airfare that swung the decision. Dunkley sails for both Sailability Wellington, and the Evans Bay Yacht and Motor Boat Club.
- Gemma Jones and Jason Saunders – Nacra 17, 4th Olympics 2016
An outstanding Olympic medal race in Rio de Janeiro this year completed Nacra 17 pair Gemma Jones and Jason Saunders’ strong campaign. A convincing victory in the final race saw the pair finish 4th overall – just three points off the Bronze. As one of the youngest in the fleet and also the only female helm in the medal race, Gemma Jones showed great talent during her debut at the Olympic Games alongside crew alongside second-time Olympian Jason who campaigned the 470 class with Paul Snow-Hansen towards the London Games in 2012. This year the duo have collected two 11th places at the Sailing World Cup in Miami and the Nacra 17 World Championship in the USA, along with a 1st at Sail Auckland and two 14ths at the Sailing World Cup in Hyeres and the Sailing World Cup in Weymouth and Portland.
- Josh Junior – Finn, 7th Olympics 2016
Heavy-weight men’s sailor Josh Junior had a tough selection process to secure his spot in Rio de Janeiro this year where he concluded a strong campaign in 7th place. The Wellingtonian previously campaigned the Laser class, but switched to the Finn class for this Olympic cycle and made his debut at the games following some career topping performances in 2015 and 2016. The 26-year-old took victory at the Princess Sofia Regatta in March this year, interrupting the unbeaten track record of Briton Giles Scott. Junior also secured two 4ths at the Finn European Championship in Barcelona in March and the Sailing World Cup in Hyeres in April in the build up to the Olympic Games.
- Alex Maloney and Molly Meech – 49erFX Olympic silver medallists, 2016
Beginning the year with a comprehensive win in Miami at the Sailing World Cup, 49er FX sailors Alex Maloney and Molly Meech have performed strongly throughout the year, topping off their season with a nail biting medal race in Rio de Janeiro to claim silver, narrowly missing out on the gold. Other achievements in 2016 have included 1st at Ocean Bridge Sail Auckland in February, 5th at the 49er European Championship in Barcelona, 9th at the Sailing World Cup in Hyeres in May, and 2nd at Sail for Gold in Weymouth in June.
- David McDiarmid, Matthew Steven, Bradley Collins – 18ft skiff, 2nd JJ Giltinan Champs
The 18ft skiff team has enjoyed a strong season, sweeping up two victories as well as a second place at the JJ Giltinan 18ft Skiff Championship in Sydney this year. The trio fought hard in the hotly contested Mark Foy Championship held in Denerau, Fiji during July to secure first place, as well as finishing at the top in the Skiff ANZAC Championship in Auckland in April. Their performances in this fast and furious class reflect a strong combination and tenacity to maintain consistency during events.
- Sam Meech – Laser, Bronze Olympics 2016
Laser sailor Sam Meech secured New Zealand’s first sailing medal at the Rio Olympics, taking out Bronze following a dramatic medal race where he showed impressive composure to maintain a podium spot. His Bronze medal followed a consistent regatta, overcoming a rocky start to build his way back into medal contention among the biggest sailing fleet at the Olympics. Meech’s building form reflected the intense competition with close friend and sailing rival Andy Maloney in the lead up to the games to earn the coveted Laser selection spot. Previous results during the year have included 3rd at the Sailing World Cup in Miami, 1st at Sail Auckland in February, and 2nd at the Sailing World Cup in Hyeres in April. Following the games Meech has also showed form outside of the Laser class, finishing 4th in the New Zealand Match Racing Championships in October.
- Phillip Robertson, William Tiller & Stewart Dodson – 1st World Match Racing Tour 2016
The Waka Match Racing trio of Phil Robertson, William Tiller and Steward Dodson received huge applause this year as the kiwi crew were crowned World Match Racing champions. The World Match Racing Tour grand finale in Marstrand, Sweden in July saw the talented crew secure the victory with sailings largest prize of $1,000,000 attached to it. Skipper Phil has been competing on match racing circuits since 2009 and has been part of the transition from monohulls to fast flying multi hulls. Previous results for Phil and Waka Racing have included a 2nd at the World Tour event in Newport in May, 5th at the Congressional Cup in California in April, and 7th at the Monsoon Cup in Malaysia in January.
- Paul Snow-Hansen & Daniel Willcox – Men’s 470, 10th Olympics 2016
The 470 pair rounded off their Olympic campaign with 10th in Rio de Janeiro following some excellent results this year including 2nd at the 470 World Championship in Argentina in February and 6th at the Sailing World Cup in Hyeres in April. Second-time Olympian Snow-Hansen previously represented New Zealand in the 470 class to achieve a 5th place during the London Games in 2012. He paired up with long time friend and competitor Daniel Willcox who made his debut at the Olympics this year.
