Jonny gets reward for dedication in helping blind sailors

A SAILOR from Milnthorpe has been presented with a prestigious award for his 18 years as a volunteer with GBR Blind Sailing. Jonny Cormack received the award from the President of the Royal Yachting Association HRH the Princess Royal at a ceremony in London. This summer, Mr Cormack guided the Great Britain team to a world championship at the Blind Fleet Racing World Championships in Ontario, Canada. Each team is allowed a sighted tactician and he filled that role for the GBR B3 team with amazing success. The tournament was the latest highlight of Mr Cormack's sailing career which began at the age of two aboard his father's boat on Windermere. He loved the sport so much he eventually became an instructor and now manages the Windermere Outdoor Adventure Centre. It was during his career at a similar centre in Rochdale that he first began to champion disabled sailing and 20 years ago became associated with blind sailing. As well as helping with the training of visually impaired sailors, much of it on Windermere, Mr Cormack regularly competes as a sighted crew to assist and advise the others on the boat. He is not allowed to handle any of the boat's controls, only able to give information verbally. However he says he has learnt much from the visually impaired sailors and says they can sense if the boat is not performing to its potential from its motion before those with sight detect what is wrong. Mr Cormack has competed in four World Blind Sailing Championships as tactician, helping the B3 Team win two silvers and a gold. He also serves on the charity's committee, helping to raise funds and organise training and team travel, including accommodation. The citation for Mr Cormack's award describes him as someone who "encourages everyone and is always looking at ways the charity can grow and support more people". He said it was an honour to get the award and described the accolade as "amazing."