At the International Sail Training and Tall Ships Conference 2016, held in Halmstad, the annual awards for significant sail training achievement were presented to a diverse and international group of people, vessels and ports – who have all made the sail training world a better place.

Congratulations to all recipients, especially our own Rachel Norrie and Tony Cummings!

Sail Trainer of the Year (Volunteer under 25)

Rachel Norrie (Australia)

Awarded to a sail training volunteer under 26 to encourage high-performing individuals who deliver sail training to young people.

Rachel joined Leeuwin II as a volunteer two years ago, training and earning her first rating as Bosun’s Mate and putting her studies on hold to pursue a career in the maritime industry. A multi-skilled, dedicated and well-liked volunteer, Rachel received a scholarship from the Western Australian Department for Training and Workforce Development as part of a programme to support women in non-traditional industries, and in 2016 was chosen to join the Woodside Leeuwin Marine Career Pathway Programme, enabling her to complete her Masters and her MED2 qualifications.

Sail Trainer of the Year (Volunteer over 25)

Tony Cummings (New Zealand)

Awarded to a sail training volunteer to encourage high-performing individuals who deliver sail training to young people.

Tony is a volunteer watch assistant, relief mate and port contact with Spirit of New Zealand. He joined her in the early 1990s for a weekend, and his enthusiasm has never flagged. Whenever the Trust’s two ships were in his home of Dunedin, Tony was there, often with his wife, providing meals, assisting departing and incoming trainees, arranging transport, helping with publicity, maintenance, and joining the crew for day sails. His voyage record is unequalled by any volunteer in the Spirit of Adventure Trust’s 43-year history.