World champions in the new Olympic 49er class, Chris Nicholson and Daniel Phillips tonight were named the 1998 Nortel Australian Sailors of the Year (male) with the female category going to Laser Radial world women's champion, Sarah Blanck.
The awards were announced at the Australian Yachting Federation's annual awards dinner at Sydney's Darling Harbour, attended by International Sailing Federation President Paul Henderson and other prominent administrators and sailors.
The award culminates an outstanding year of sailing in the new Olympic class for Newcastle, New South Wales, sailors Nicholson and Phillips who are regarded as one of Australia's outstanding prospects for a gold medal at the Sydney 2000 Games.
For Nicholson it is his second Australian Sailor of the Year Award, having shared it with his brother Darren in 1994 following their second world championship win in the International 505 class.
From Peter Campbell - 100036.2315@compuserve