With the sailing season winding down in northern latitudes comes the opportunity to recognize those U.S. sailors who have collected impressive regatta results at home and abroad in 2011. Starting Friday, September 30, 2011, US SAILING will accept nominations for its 2011 Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year awards, widely acknowledged as the foremost individual sailing honors in the nation. Through November 30, 2011, every member of US SAILING may nominate the one male and one female sailor they think has turned in the most outstanding on-the-water performance during the 2011 calendar year. Nominations can be made online through US SAILING’s website at http://about.ussailing.org/Awards/Rolex.htm
Established in 1961 by US SAILING and sponsored by Rolex Watch, U.S.A. since 1980, the annual presentation of US SAILING’s Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year awards recognize the individual male and female U.S. sailor who has demonstrated on-the-water excellence at international and/or national events to earn their place in the history books. Anna Tunnicliffe and Stan Honey, winners of the prestigious distinction for 2010, joined the list of legendary winners that includes notable sailors who have claimed the honor multiple times: Ed Adams, Betsy Alison, Sally Barkow, Dennis Conner, JJ Isler, Allison Jolly, John Kostecki, Buddy Melges, Ken Read, Cory Sertl, Lynne Shore, Jody Swanson and Ted Turner.
At the conclusion of the nomination period (September 30-November 30, 2011), a shortlist of nominees will be presented to a panel of accomplished sailing journalists who discuss the merits of each and vote by secret ballot to determine the individual award winners. The winners will be honored on February 23, 2012, during a luncheon at St. Francis Yacht Club in San Francisco, when they will be presented with specially-engraved Rolex timepieces.
