Ocean Racer of the Year Awards

The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia has announced that nominations are open for its Ocean Racer of the Year Awards. The 2013 Ocean Racer of the Year Awards will be announced on Wednesday December 11 and the CYCA welcomes nominations from fellow offshore clubs that have suitable candidates they feel would be eligible for these awards.

The categories for the 2013 awards are:
>> Ocean Racing Yachtsman of the Year
>> Sally Gordon Memorial Trophy for the Ocean Crew Person of the Year
>> Ocean Veteran of the Year
>> Ocean Rookie of the Year
>> Ocean Navigator of the Year

Nominations close on Monday, November 18 and should be forwarded to the CYCA with a brief history of the candidate’s offshore performances and achievements for the period of July 20, 2012 to July 20, 2013.

"These awards recognise many yachtsmen and women from around the country, some of whom are icons of the sport and some that participate in the sport of sailing just for the love of it," CYCA Commodore Howard Piggott said.

"I encourage Commodores of fellow clubs and yacht owners to nominate eligible individuals for these prestigious awards."

Since its inception in 1985, the Ocean Racer of the Year Award has gone to many of Australia’s most notable ocean racing skippers, starting with Tasmanian Don Calvert and including Victorians Gino Knezic and Lou Abrahams, South Australian Kevan Pearce and Sydney yachtsmen Syd Fischer (four times), Roger Hickman, Geoff Ross, Matt Allen (twice), and Bob Thomas and Ed Psaltis (twice).

The Ocean Veteran of the Year winners have included Syd Fischer (NSW, twice), Alby Burgin (NSW, twice), the late Merv Finn (WA), the late John Bennetto (Tas), Dick Fidock (SA), John Walker (NSW, four times), Lou Abrahams (Vic), Don Mickleborough (NSW), Richard Hammond (NSW) and Alex Whitworth (NSW, twice).

Further information can be obtained from Stephen Craig, Ph (02) 8292 7800 or emailsailingoffice@cyca.com.au