The New Zealand sailor- Blair Tuke received two major sporting awards on Friday (29th of November, 2013). He won for the second time the Northland Sportsperson of the Year Award. In addition to that, he also won Yachting New Zealand’s Sailor of the Year Award along with Peter Burling (teammate of Tuke).
Blair Tuke was absolutely disappointed that he could not be a present at the Kensington Stadium (Whangarei) to receive the award given to him by the Sport Northland. However, he was extremely delighted that he could attend the Golden Anniversary of Yachting New Zealand Awards which was held in Auckland (New Zealand). Tuke was presented the YNZ’s Sailor of the Year Award by Sir Russell Coutts who was a former winner of the same prestigious award.
Tuke said that he was feeling pretty awesome that his talent had been recognized in front of some great people whose contribution to the sport has been outstanding and unconditional. Karin and Andy Tuke- parents of Blair Tuke were also present in the YNZ award ceremony along with admirers and other people who have been supporting Tuke during his professional yachting career.
Peter Burling and Blair Tuke won the YNZ award because they had won the 49er World and European Championship titles. Plus they were associated with other sailing events like Red Bull Youth America’s Cup. The names of Blair Tuke and Peter Burling will remain forever imprinted on the Sir Bernard Fergusson Trophy.
Both the sailors are participating in the Sydney to Harbor Yacht Race to be held on 26th December, 2013. After that they will take part in the A-Class Catamaran Championships to be held from fifth to sixteenth February 2014 in Takapuna Beach. The pair will then prepare itself to retain the 49er World Title in September 2014 at the ISAF Sailing World Championships to be held in Spain.