James Spithill named 2014 ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year

by Jane Gordon on 5 Nov 2014 Australian James Spithill has taken out the prestigious 2014 ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Award in Palma de Mallorca, Spain overnight. Spithill becomes just the third Australian to take out the title, alongside fellow 2014 nominee and winner of the Award in 2013, Mathew Belcher and Tom Slingsby in 2010.

Spithill, who has been sailing since the age of five and grew up at Elvina Bay on Pittwater in Sydney, led his team to what has been called one of the greatest comebacks in international sport in 2013. Trailing Emirates Team New Zealand eight - one in a first to nine quest for one of yachting’s greatest prizes, the America’s Cup, skipper Spithill inspired a comeback of epic proportions with a faultless 'down but not out' approach. Levelling the series at eight apiece his team was victorious in the winner takes all final race, Spithill’s second triumph in the 162-year old contest.

After winning the Award overnight, 35 year old Spithill said, 'With such a fantastic group of nominees it’s quite humbling to be included in the same group. I feel a little awkward winning this award. It seems it is an individual award and in my case it could not be further from the truth. What happened on San Francisco Bay was an incredible team effort. I was just a small piece. I would like to accept the award on behalf of a great group of people, Oracle Team USA.'

Yachting Australia President Matt Allen congratulated Spithill on his Award commenting, 'the world was enthralled by the battle that took place between Oracle Team USA and Emirates Team New Zealand in the quest to win the America’s Cup and it delivered one of the greatest comebacks in sporting history, led by James Spithill.

'The achievement of James at the helm of Oracle Team USA was exceptional and inspired future generations of young sailors to emulate his efforts and aim for success on the world stage. It was an exciting series to watch with amazing boats and as the results got closer, it created excitement around the world among, not just among sailors, but all sports enthusiasts.

'On behalf of the Australian sailing community, we congratulate James, along with fellow nominees Mat Belcher and Will Ryan, for their recognition on the world stage which highlights the depth of talented sailors we have in this country. To have three Australian sailors win this Award in the space of four years is an amazing achievement, and James is in good company with previous winners Mat Belcher and Tom Slingsby'.

Along with Spithill, Olympic gold medallist and five-time World Champion Mat Belcher and dual World Champion crew Will Ryan were the other Australian team in the running for the top Award, which Belcher won in 2013.

The nomination of Australian Sailing Team’s Belcher and Ryan reflects the many accomplishments of the two Queenslanders, who have dominated the Men’s 470er class since teaming up after the London 2012 Olympic Games. Belcher and Ryan finished on the podium at every major regatta they have competed at. Whilst their unbeaten run was ended in January 2014, their hunger for victory was intensified as they left their rivals in their wake at the Santander 2014 ISAF Worlds in September and the Open European Championship in July.

Their victory at the 2014 Santander ISAF Sailing World Championships in September was their second consecutive world title together and brought Belcher's tally to a record-breaking five in a row. With this result the pair also secured Australia a spot in the Men’s 470 class at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

The nominees for the 2014 ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Awards were:

Male:

• Mat Belcher and Will Ryan (AUS)
• Peter Burling and Blair Tuke (NZL)
• Bill Hardesty (USA)
• Giles Scott (GBR)
• James Spithill (AUS

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