On Saturday evening, the 2021 Australian Sailing State Awards evening was held at Bellerive Yacht Club. The Australian Sailing Awards, for Tasmania, recognise the outstanding contributions and achievements by clubs and individuals in the Tasmanian sailing community. As well as recognising our sports people, the awards acknowledge the huge contribution made by volunteers and media representatives. 

Chris Symonds from Wynyard Yacht Club receiving both the Male and Para Sailor of the Year awards. Photo by Darcie Richards 

Current Launceston to Hobart race record holder, Duncan Hine, was awarded Offshore Sailor of the Year, in recognition of him and his crews outstanding success sailing on Alive, from the Derwent Sailing Squadron. Male Sailor of the Year was awarded to Chris Symonds (Wynyard Yacht Club), through his success of securing six wins in state and national events over the past season. Chris also was awarded Para Sailor of the Year in recognition of these outstanding performances. Current Women’s Keelboat Regatta Champion and avid Sharpie sailor, Kirsty Salter (Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania) was named Female Sailor of the Year. 

Female Sailor of the Year Award recipient Kirsty Salter of the RYCT. Photo by Darcie Richards

Gilbert Leitch, from the Derwent Sailing Squadron was awarded the prestigious, Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his huge commitment and contribution to the sport over numerous decades. In recognition of their membership growth, commitment to inclusion and equality in sport of sailing, the successes of their 2020/2021 season, Club of the Year was awarded to Bellerive Yacht Club. 

Gilbert Leitch of the DSS received the Lifetime Achievement Award. Photo by Darcie Richards

Congratulations to all who were nominated and presented with an award at this year’s event. The winners of the state awards will now move on to the next stage of judging, at the national level.

A full list of this year’s award recipients is below:

• Offshore sailor of the Year – Duncan Hine, Derwent Sailing Squadron
• Youth Sailor of the Year – Nick Jones, Wynyard Yacht Club
• Volunteer of the Year – Stephen Pink, Wynyard Yacht Club
• Male and Para Sailor of the Year – Chris Symonds, Wynyard Yacht Club
• Official of the Year – Murray Jones, Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania
• SheSails Award – Combined Clubs SheSails working group (Coleen Darcey, Clare Brown, Jill Abel, Claire Cunningham, Jacinta Cooper, Sandy McManus and Kate Legg).
• Lifetime Achievement Award – Gilbert Leitch, Derwent Sailing Squadron
• Club of the Year – Bellerive Yacht Club
• Coach of the Year – Rohan Langford, Sandy Bay Sailing Club
• Instructor of the Year – Oliver Hugo, Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania
• Female Sailor of the Year – Kirsty Salter, Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania
• Sports Promotion Award – Jane Austin, Derwent Sailing Squadron
• Sport Professional of the Year – Michael Vincent, Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania

The honour board of past winners of the Tasmanian Sailing Awards can be found HERE. Photos from the evening, kindly taken by Darcie Richards, will be made available at www.facebook.com/AustSailTasmania