In a celebration of exceptional talent and achievements in Canadian competitive sailing, Sail Canada has honored outstanding individuals with prestigious awards. The 2022 Bill Burk Memorial Youth Elite Awards and the Marvin McDill Memorial Award were presented to remarkable sailors who showcased exemplary skills, dedication, and sportsmanship.
Annie Balasubramanian: Setting Records and Inspiring Peers
Annie Balasubramanian, hailing from Toronto, emerged as a standout recipient of the Bill Burk Memorial Youth Elite Award. The accolade, reserved for sailors aged 18 and under, recognizes exceptional accomplishments in national and international youth competitions. Annie’s stellar performance at the 2022 Youth Sailing World Championships in The Hague, Netherlands, where she secured the 12th position in the ILCA 6 category, marked a significant achievement. Notably, this was the best Canadian performance in ILCA 6 since 2009.
Annie continued her success by claiming the 10th spot at the 2022 Youth ILCA 6 Championships in Texas. Her journey to the Youth Sailing World Championships was cemented with a 22nd position at the 2022 ILCA Midwinters East in St. Petersburg, FL, making her the top Canadian female athlete in ILCA 6.
Expressing her gratitude, Annie said, “I’m very excited that I’ve been chosen for the Bill Burk Memorial Award for 2022. My 2022 sailing season was jam-packed with travel, international regattas, local regattas, training, and everything, and two back-to-back Youth World Championships.”
She credited her success to her teammates and coaches, expressing appreciation for Sail Canada’s support. Annie looks forward to continuing her journey in sailing, representing Canada at more events.
Colin Gilley and Matt Young: Navigating Success in 29er
Colin Gilley and Matt Young, cousins from Vancouver, jointly received the Bill Burk Memorial Youth Elite Award. Sail Canada’s decision to recognize athletes/teams of different gender identities highlights inclusivity in the awards. The duo’s remarkable journey began in the fall of 2021 when they transitioned from ILCA 6 to the 29er class. Within a few months, they qualified for the 2022 Youth Sailing World Championships, securing the 21st position.
Their accomplishments extended to winning gold at the 2022 Canada Summer Games, just months after embracing the 29er. They also clinched the second spot overall at the Sail Canada 2022 Youth Championships, showcasing their versatility and skill.
Colin and Matt expressed their gratitude, stating, “Thank you so much, Sail Canada, for honoring us with the Bill Burk Memorial Youth Elite Award. 2022 was an extraordinary year for us. It was our first season in the 29er, and with the support of our coaches and our club, we had some incredible experiences with the opportunity to compete at the Canada Games, Cork, North Americans, and Youth Worlds.”
They extended their appreciation to parents, the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club, BC Sailing, teammates, training partners, and coaches who contributed to their success.
Delani Hulme-Lawrence: Rising Star in 2.4mR Class
Delani Hulme-Lawrence, from Victoria, stood out as the recipient of the Marvin McDill Memorial Award. Her outstanding performance at the 2022 2.4mR Open World Championship in Tampa, Florida, where she secured 11th place overall and earned the title of Top Junior Sailor, showcased her talent and determination.
Having participated in Para World Championships and steadily climbing the ranks, Delani marked her presence at the first Open World Championship in November 2022. Reflecting on her achievement, she said, “Winning the Sail Canada 2022 Marvin McDill Award is an absolute honor. I competed at my first Open World Championship in November of 2022, where I achieved a personal best, 11th overall, and was the top junior sailor at the Worlds.”
Acknowledging the support from various quarters, including friends, family, Sail Canada, BC Sailing, sponsors, coaches, and mentors, Delani highlighted the importance of perseverance in her sailing journey.
The Sail Canada 2022 Awards Ceremony will take place on October 17th at Canada’s Celebration of Sailing, providing a fitting platform to celebrate the accomplishments of these exceptional sailors.
