Amateur Sailor of the Year

   I think you have to look beyond the results though. Like I said before, just getting a good result doesn't really carry for a top award. There has to be something extra.

The Partingtons were paired, because the element which makes their story unique, is also shared between the two (father -son, long term campaigners). 
Mike Senior and Chris White (campaigning an old boat,  class stalwarts & 'comeback' win... all things they had equal part in). 

Grennan, Hodges & Cattermole, again, the element that clearly makes their achievement more remarkable is the additional challenges faced by being blind in our sport, again, a shared element. 

So, when I read the blurb on Maria, it's pretty clear the additional element to her success which makes it's noteworthy is that she's female helm. Rob isn't a female helm. He's not had to overcome being physically smaller, he's not had to work against stereotypes that women shouldn't be competitive, or that men make better helms. And, if you don't really believe those are real barriers that Maria has overcome, then just from a historical point of view it's not as rare for a male crews to win a nationals.  

Winning the UKs (arguably) most competitive adult amateur fleet as a female helm is Maria's 'story', not Robs. The others had shared stories which made the joint nominations more obvious. 

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for crew getting recognition in a sporting context. He's national champ just as much as Maria, he has equal right to prizes and standing on the podium. But, the element that makes Maria's story remarkable, isn't true for Rob. 

Having said, I wouldn't have object had rob been on the nomination but I can see a rationale for why he isn't. 

Poll Question: Who will win?
Poll Choice	Votes	Poll Statistics
Andy and Tom Partington (Int 14 Worlds)	11	[40.74%]
Maria Stanley (RS200 Nationals)	10	[37.04%]
Sharon Grennan, Lucy Hodges & Liam (Match racingCattermole (	1	[3.70%]
Mike Senior & Chris White (GP Worlds)	1	[3.70%]
Dave Hivey (Moth Euros)	3	[11.11%]
Giles Peckham (Cowes Week)	1	[3.70%]
You can not vote in this poll

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Guests Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Guest Group	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guests Quote Reply Topic: Amateur Sailor of the Year Posted: 13 Dec 18 at 3:47pm
	I think you have to look beyond the results though. Like I said before, just getting a good result doesn't really carry for a top award. There has to be something extra. The Partingtons were paired, because the element which makes their story unique, is also shared between the two (father -son, long term campaigners). Mike Senior and Chris White (campaigning an old boat, class stalwarts & 'comeback' win... all things they had equal part in). Grennan, Hodges & Cattermole, again, the element that clearly makes their achievement more remarkable is the additional challenges faced by being blind in our sport, again, a shared element. So, when I read the blurb on Maria, it's pretty clear the additional element to her success which makes it's noteworthy is that she's female helm. Rob isn't a female helm. He's not had to overcome being physically smaller, he's not had to work against stereotypes that women shouldn't be competitive, or that men make better helms. And, if you don't really believe those are real barriers that Maria has overcome, then just from a historical point of view it's not as rare for a male crews to win a nationals. Winning the UKs (arguably) most competitive adult amateur fleet as a female helm is Maria's 'story', not Robs. The others had shared stories which made the joint nominations more obvious. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for crew getting recognition in a sporting context. He's national champ just as much as Maria, he has equal right to prizes and standing on the podium. But, the element that makes Maria's story remarkable, isn't true for Rob. Having said, I wouldn't have object had rob been on the nomination but I can see a rationale for why he isn't.

jaydub Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 06 Jan 07 Online Status: Offline Posts: 267	Post Options Post Reply Quote jaydub Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 13 Dec 18 at 11:11pm
	Well said, Tom. Maria's achievement is fantastic. Sailing a 200 I know how good you have to be even to win on the regional circuits. To dominate the 200s at National level is a in the way she has is a fantastic achievement