The Virgin Islands Sailor of the Year Award for 2016 was handed out recently and Cy Thomson was the recipient of this award. He has several accolades to his credit, such as being a two time winner in the Olympic laser category. The award was organized by the Virgin Sailing Association.
He has qualified for Rio 2016 and had even trained with top sailors for the competition. The last nine months that led to the competition saw his dedicated efforts to push his sailing skills to higher levels, putting aside business opportunities and personal life events as well. This is expected as per his lineage, Thomas being the grandson of Rudy Thomson, who was one of the first Olympic sailors from the region of US Virgin Islands.
Thomson admits to be overwhelmed by receiving this award at the beginning of the year, which sums up his achievements last year. He feels the award is recognition for his efforts to race in the Olympic Games, and at the World Series in Zadar. He had also participated in the Laser class in 2012 Olympic Games where he had finished in the 25th position.
Thomson has several achievements to his credit, especially in 2016. He won the CORK Olympic Class Regatta that was held in Kingston, Canada. This was his second achievement in the same regatta event. He also finished in eighth position in the Sailing World Cup that was held in China. He started 2016 by finishing in the 20th position in Sailing World Cup Miami.
He then trained exclusively in Rio. He felt that it was a great honor to be holding the VI flag when he was at Rio Olympics. With all his endeavors and achievements, it was befitting that this award be handed to him to recognize all his efforts in competitive sailing last year as a representative from the Virgin Islands.