Sailors shortlisted for Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year

by Jan Harley on 11 Dec 2013 The most outstanding sailing performances of the year are being celebrated by US Sailing with the announcement of its shortlist of nominees for the 2013 Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year awards. The 2013 shortlist of nine men and six women, which includes 10 world champions, encompasses athletes racing cutting edge hydrofoils and kiteboards alongside stellar performers in one-design sailing.

The nominees will be reviewed by a panel of noted sailing journalists who discuss the merits of each nominee and will vote to determine US Sailing's 2013 Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year. The winners will be announced in mid-January and honored on Tuesday, February 25, 2014, during a luncheon at the St. Francis Yacht Club in San Francisco, when they will be presented with Rolex timepieces.

Nominees shortlisted for US Sailing's 2013 Rolex Yachtsman of the Year award: Melges 32 World Champion Jason Carroll (New York, N.Y. ); Etchells World Champion Marvin Beckmann (Houston, Texas); Moth World Champion Bora Gulari (Detroit, Mich.); J/24 World Champion Tim Healy (Newport, R.I.); Kiteboard Racing North American Champion Johnny Heineken (Larkspur, Calif.); Star World Champion John MacCausland (Cherry Hill, N.J.); Sperry-Top Sider Melges 24 World Champion Brian Porter (Fontana, Wisc.); Lightning World Champion David Starck (Amherst, N.Y.); and J/22 World Champion Allan Terhune (Arnold, Md.)

Nominees shortlisted for US Sailing’s 2013 Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year award: Farr 30 World Champion Deneen Demourkas (Santa Barbara, Calif.); J/70 North American Champion Heather Gregg-Earl (Boston, Mass.); IKA Course Racing World Champion Erika Heineken (Larkspur, Calif.); Laser Radial World Bronze Medalist Paige Railey (Clearwater, Fla.); Laser Radial North American Champion Erika Reineke (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.); and Lightning Atlantic Coast Champion Jody Starck (Amherst, N.Y.).

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 are considered the sport's ultimate recognition of an individual’s outstanding on-the-water achievements for the calendar year. Over its history the coveted award has been presented to 40 men and 33 women, including these distinguished 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, Anna Tunnicliffe and Ted Turner.

For highlights from the year’s racing results for each nominee, please click here