Sailors sweep AIS Performance Awards
by Michael Martin 11 Dec 2019 16:16 NZDT
10 December 2019
Mat Belcher and Will Ryan at Australia Institute of Sport Performance Awards © Australian Sailing
Australian Sailing Team members were the big winners at a star-studded Australia Institute of Sport Performance Awards dinner at Sydney's Star Casino last night.
Amongst finalists from the best in Australian sport, reigning Men's 470 World Champions Mat Belcher and Will Ryan (Team of the Year) and Laser Head Coach Michael Blackburn (Coach of the Year) were declared winners in their categories.
"It's a huge honour. For us to win this award amongst some athletes that we are huge fans of is confirmation that we are on the right pathway with what we are doing." said Ryan after accepting the award.
The award comes on the back of a stunning season for the pair, where they secured their fifth 470 World Championship and back-to-back wins at the Olympic venue in Japan.
But 2019 wasn't all smooth sailing for the Rio silver medallists.
"The thing we are most proud of is that at the beginning of the year things didn't quite fall in to place the way we wanted to," continued Ryan. "We had a few setbacks, but we managed to turn them around. It wasn't a blame game, we worked hard, and it drew the team closer together."
The duo is firmly focused on Tokyo and are confident that the award is not a sign that they have peaked to early.
"Last time around for the Olympics we tried to peak the whole way through that four years and this time we are taking a different approach," commented Ryan.
"To get that string of five victories in a row at the end of the season, the nature of the different venues, the different conditions and the way that all happened, that gives us huge confidence that we can continue that form in to next year. We don't think we have played all of our cards yet."
Coach Victor Kovalenko was on hand to share in the celebrations.
"This is a huge award, a sign of the recognition and trust from the Australian sporting community in this team," he noted.
"It is also a big incentive for the team to be even better next year."
Blackburn was recognised for his leadership of the Australian Sailing Team's Laser squad. The group is spearheaded by the top two ranked laser sailors in the world in Tom Burton and Matt Wearn, themselves nominated for Male Athlete of the Year Award which was won by Snowboarding's Scotty James.
Despite it being the second time Blackburn has won the award, he was still stunned to hear his name called out.
"I was surprised to win given the results of the other nominees which were truly excellent as well," commented Blackburn. "I think that list shows that the standard of Australian sport is pretty good at the top level at the moment."
Blackburn didn't have to think long when asked to identify his highlight from the year.
"First and second at the worlds was a pretty special thing to achieve. They have been close before, both Matt and Tom almost won it last year, so it was nice to get the points on the board and get it done."
Other big winners from the night included Ash Barty who collected three awards including Female athlete of the Year and both People's Choice categories, and Hockeyroo Amy Lawton who was selected as the Emerging Athlete of the Year.