Australians shortlisted for World Sailor award

by Jo Dikkenberg, Yachting Australia on 28 Sep 2005 Peter Gilmour and Rohan Veal have been shortlisted for the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) Rolex World Sailor of the Year Awards, as a result of outstanding achievement between 1 September 2004 and 31 August 2005.

Gilmour, from Perth, achieved great success on the international match racing circuit, winning three consecutive ISAF Grade 1 events and finishing the nomination period as the number one ranked match racer in the world. Amongst his victories was a fifth win at the ACI H1 Match Race and a sixth Swedish Match Cup win. He was also crowned overall Swedish Match Tour Champion.

On being nominated for this prestigious award, Gilmour said, ‘a great honour after an unbelievable year’ and on what winning would mean, he emphasised the importance of teamwork, commenting, ‘I would immediately share the accolade with my Pizza-la Sailing Team.’

Veal, from Melbourne, is a highly skilled hydrofoil sailor and is current Moth World Champion. He dominated the event, winning every race with a margin of two to 17 minutes and was the first person to win the event using hydrofoils. Off the water, Veal makes a great contribution to design and development, as well as sharing advice and experience with younger sailors and club mates.

On being nominated for the ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Awards Veal said, ‘when I got the news that I was being nominated for the ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Awards, I was completely caught by surprise, let alone being selected as a finalist. I had no expectation that any recognition of this kind, and at this level, would follow something that I just love doing so much. I only hope that I can give back to the sailing community what everyone has given to me.’

Phil Jones, Yachting Australia Chief Executive Yachting Australia, was delighted with the news. ‘It’s a testament to the depth of sailing in Australia that two Australian sailors with such different back grounds have been shortlisted for the ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Awards and either would be a deserving winner,’ he said.

Other sailors shortlisted for the male award are Fernando Echavarri and Antón Paz (team - ESP), Finian Maynard (IVB), Bruno Peyron (FRA) and Vincent Riou (FRA). The shortlisted sailors for the female award are Claire Leroy (FRA), Ellen Macarthur (GBR), Blanca Manchon (ESP) and Paige Railey (USA).

Each of the 117 ISAF Member National Authorities will now vote for one sailor in each category. The winners will be announced at a gala function in Singapore on 8 November.