Sailing: Tauranga sailors in line for awards

Zak Merton (left) and Sam Barnett are among several local sailors up for awards. Photo / File

Tauranga sailors figure prominently in the names revealed in a milestone year for Volvo Yachting Excellence Awards.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the presentation of the New Zealand Sailor of the Year award.

Yachting New Zealand said it was delighted to announce those in the running for Orbit Corporate Travel Sailor of the Year.

Just who will be presented the Sir Bernard Fergusson Trophy in this milestone year will be revealed on Friday, November 29, at the 2013 Volvo Yachting Excellence Awards at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron in Auckland.

In 1963 the award went to Harry Highet, designer of the iconic P-Class yacht.

Other awards to be given include Volvo Young Sailor of the Year, B&G Coach/Official of the Year and the President's Award.

There will also be a one-off award, the Partridge Jewellers Diamond Anniversary Prize, included in the programme.

Names were released yesterday of people awarded the 10 performance prizes, nine service awards, seven youth performance prizes as well as the winner of the 2013 emerging talent award.

In the performance and service categories no more than 10 awards can be given in one year and 2013 was no exception in making it tough for the judging panel.

2013 YNZ Performance Awards

Jo Aleh and Polly Powrie - 2013 Women's 470 World Champions

Peter Burling and Blair Tuke - 2013 49er World Champions

Emirates Team New Zealand - Winners of the 2013 Louis Vuitton Trophy

Full Metal Jacket Racing - 2nd at the Red Bull Youth America's Cup

Marcus Hansen and Josh Porebski - Silver at the 2013 49er World Championship

Gemma Jones and Jason Saunders - 9th at the 2013 Nacra 17 World Championships

Josh Junior - 9th at the 2013 Finn Gold Cup

Alexandra Maloney and Molly Meech - 2013 49erFX World Champions

NZL Sailing Team with ETNZ - Winners of the Red Bull Youth America's Cup

Paul Snow-Hansen and Dan Willcox - 7th at the 2013 Men's 470 World Championships

2013 YNZ Youth Performance Awards

2013 NZL Yachting Trust Youth Team - 3rd country in the ISAF Nations Trophy at the 2013 ISAF Youth World Championships

Sam Barnett and Zak Merton - 5th in the Men's 420 at the 2013 ISAF Youth World Championships

Abigail Goodwin and Olivia MacKay - 6th in the Women's 420 at the 2013 ISAF Youth World Championships

Isaac McHardie and Micah Wilkinson - Gold in the SL16 at the 2013 ISAF Youth World Championships

Andrew McKenzie - 6th in Laser Radial Boys at the 2013 ISAF Youth World Championships

Molly Meech - 2013 49erFX World Champion

Markus Somerville and Jack Simpson - Bronze in the 29er at the 2013 ISAF Youth World Championships