There will be a strong Tauranga Yacht and Power Boat contingent at the 2009 NZ Yachting Excellence Awards this year.
Yachting New Zealand has named ISAF Youth World Championship gold medallist in the Laser Class, Sam Meech, as one of nine finalists for Young Sailor of the Year 2009. This trophy looks set to feature a new name after the reign of Peter Burling and Carl Evans in recent years.

Tom Saunders, the second person to ever win both P Class and Starling trophies, is nominated for a merit award, as are Paul Snow-Hansen and Jason Saunders, Olympic 470 Class, who are also nominated for a merit award.
John Buck, Ross Currie, and Gary Smith are nominated for Yachting NZ Honour Awards for coastal rescue efforts.
The world championship NZB2 blind sailing team of Paulien Eitjes, Tom Donaghy, Gary Smith and Phillip Smith have also been nominated for a Yachting New Zealand Merit Award.
Club patron Bill Mitchinson is also nominated for an honour award for more than 50 years service to sailing, and the Tauranga Yacht & Powerboat Club is among the President's Award Finalists.
Ticket sales are now open for the Yachting Excellence Awards Dinner on Friday 20th November 2009 at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron.
The Yachting Excellence Awards presentation is an annual occasion which consistently attracts a packed audience to the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron for the announcement of Singapore Airlines Sailor of the Year and Young Sailor of the Year. Honour, Merit and President's Awards are also presented for service and achievement in the sport of yachting.