NSW Champions of Sport – Tom Slingsby OAM

Join us as we celebrate the past winners of the NSW Sports Awards spanning over 20 years of sporting excellence and achievement – as we countdown to the inaugural NSW Champions of Sport, where, for the first time, the induction of new entrants into the NSW Hall of Champions will be combined with the NSW Sports Awards in one gala ceremony. 

In the lead up to the event, we will look back to our past crowned NSW Athlete of the Year and NSW Athlete of the Year with a Disability winners as they share their great joys and triumphs as well as life post their ‘dream year’ with successes both on and off the field.

Sport: Sailing
NSW Athlete of the Year: 2010

Tom Slingsby OAM announced himself as a world-class sailor in 2010. Tom won two World Cup events, two World Championships, the Laser Standard World Titles, the Etchells Titles and was ranked World No. 1 in the Laser class by the end of the year.

Fittingly he became the first Australian to win the ISAF World Sailor of the Year award and topped off the year by being named the 2010 Sport NSW Athlete of the Year.

After what could only be described as a 'dream year', Slingsby went on to prepare for the 2012 London Olympics, where he was determined to claim a gold medal in the Laser class.

His performances in the opening five rounds of the Olympic regatta were impressive as he won four of the opening ten races and placed second in three others. His results ensured that his nearest competitor would need to beat him by six places in the ten boat medal race to relinquish the gold medal. Living up to the pressure of the moment Tom claimed the gold medal after the final race on the seas of Weymouth.

Reflecting on his outstanding achievements, Slingsby commented,

“I would have to say 2012 was my best year because I finally achieved a 12 year dream to win a Olympic gold. That was the highlight of my career.”

The cream of NSW Sports stars from both past and present will be celebrated at the NSW Champions of Sport Ceremony to be held at Rosehill Gardens on Monday 27 November 2017.

For more information on the NSW Champions of Sport Ceremony and to secure your seat visit: www.sportnsw.com.au/2017ChampionsofSport