The 2022 Tasmanian Sailing Awards were held Saturday 3rd September at the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania. The evening was a celebration of the outstanding contributions and achievements of clubs, members, sports people, volunteers, and media representatives of the Tasmanian sailing community.  

This year’s ceremony included a special and rare occurrence with three generations of the Read & Potter family being announced as winners in three separate categories. Peter Read was awarded the Lifetime Achievement award following 60 years of service to both the Sandy Bay Sailing Club and the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania as a sailor, volunteer, and exceptional sailing journalist. Daughter, Jennifer Potter followed suit with her passion for sailing and was awarded the 2022 Volunteer of the Year Award following nearly 40 years of service the sport. Grand daughter, Amy Potter received the Sports Professional of the Year award for her outstanding work with the SBSC, DSS and AS. All three family members spoke passionately about the sport of sailing and the Tasmanian sailing community.  

Regional Advisory Member, Danny Cunningham, was pleased the high calibre of nominations received this year. “It’s really pleasing the see such a high quality of nominations. It shows the depth and high standard of performances in Tasmania, both on and off the water,“ said Cunningham.  

2022 Female Sailor or the Year was Australian Sailing Squad member Amelia Catt. In 2021, Catt campaigned in the Mixed 470 class with helm Chris Charlwood in 2021. The pair collected a silver medal at the Hempel World Cup Allianz Regatta and emerged as Australia’s #1 ranked Olympic Mixed 470 crew. Catt is now a four-time winner of the Tasmanian Female Sailor of the Year and spoke to her intentions of representing Australia in the Paris Games 2024.  

Wynyard Yacht Club had a wonderful evening with nominations in most categories and winners in four award categories. WYC’s fearless leader, Commodore Chris Symonds, has been very productive on and off the water. Symonds and Crew Ela Klinger claimed victory in the 2021 Hansa Doubles World Titles in Italy, plus national title victories in Italy and the UK. Back home the club have recently moved into their new clubhouse, boasting state of art facilities and accessibility. 

Congratulations to all nominees! The winners from the Tasmanian Sailing Awards are now nominated for the Australian Sailing Awards being announced 4th November.  

2022 Tasmanian Sailing Awards winners: 

• Instructor of the Year – Magnus McIndoe 
• Sports Professional – Amy Potter 
• Sports Promotion – Bellerive Yacht Club 
• Volunteer of the Year – Jennifer Potter 
• SheSails Award – Wynyard Yacht Club 
• Lifetime Achievement – Peter Read 
• Youth Sailing or the Year – Adelaide O’Donoghue 
• Offshore Sailor the Year – Rob Gough & John Saul 
• Para Sailor of the Year – Chris Symonds 
• Male Sailor of the Year – Chris Symonds 
• Female Sailor of the Year – Amelia Catt 
• Club of the Year – Wynyard Yacht Club 

Past Tasmanian Sailing Award winners available HERE 

Photos are curtesy of Darcie Richards Photography and the Wynyard Yacht Club. More photos from the evening are available on the Australian Sailing – Tasmania Facebook page.