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A host of Yachting New Zealand sailors have been named among the finalists for the 2016 annual Massey University Harbour Sport Excellence Awards. The awards recognize exceptional performances and contribution to sport in the North Harbour region and will be celebrated on 25 November.
Silver medalists at the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games this year, both women’s crews of 470 sailors Jo Aleh, Polly Powrie, and 49erFX sailors Alex Maloney, Molly Meech from Murrays Bay Sailing Club have been named finalists for the Axis Sports Medicine Sportswoman of the Year. They are also joined by 49er sailors Logan Dunning-Beck and Jack Simpson from Wakatere Boating Club, who won the Weymouth Sail for Gold Cup in June this year, in the list for the Massey University International Performance by a Team.
Laser Radial Class sailor George Gautrey from Takapuna Boating Club has been named among the Cube Creative Print Design & Signage Sportsman of the Year finalists, following his silver medal at the 2015 Youth Sailing World Championships.
Successful pairs from Murrays Bay Sailing Club in the 29er youth class this year are in the line-up for the Spencer on Byron Hotel Junior Team of the Year. These include Nick Egnot-Johnson and Jackson Keon who won silver at the Youth Sailing World Championships this year and sisters Kate and Greta Stewart who secured bronze at the same event.
Also to be named a finalist in the Regional Talented Sportsman of the Year is 2016 'double-P' winner Robbie McCutcheon, who claimed the top spot in both the P Class Tanner Cup and the Tauranga Cup earlier this year, as well as placing 3rd at the 2016 Optimist Oceania Championships, and 13th at the 2016 Optimist Asian Championships.
Three of the coaches to have worked with sailors at the Olympic Games this year are finalists in the Deep Creek Coach of the Year category. These include Nathan Handley; 470 coach to Jo Aleh and Polly Powrie, Jim Maloney; 49erFX coach to Alex Maloney and Molly Meech, and Hamish Willcox; 49er coach to Peter Burling and Blair Tuke.
Tickets are on sale now for the awards evening which will be held at The Spencer on Byron on Friday 25 November.
Click here to see a full list of the awards and finalists.
