ISAF / Sperry World Sailor of the Year Awards 2000

by Editor on 17 Oct 2000 The World Sailor of the Year Awards are being presented in 2000 for the seventh successive year. Two "World Sailor of the Year Awards" are presented, one to a male sailor and one to a female sailor.

There are 13 nominees for the 2000 awards drawn from nominations received by Member National Authorities (MNAs) and the ISAF Nomination Panel. These sailors represent the diversity of our sport, from offshore to Olympic Sailors. The winners will be determined by popular vote by sailors from around the world.

The following are the sailors shortlisted for the 2000 ISAF/Sperry World Sailor of the Year Awards, and briefly details their achievements meriting their nomination and principal results from August 1999 to date:

MALE

Jesper Bank, Henrik Blakesjaer and Thomas Jacobsen (DEN) In recognition of Jesper, Henrik and Thomas' Gold Medal in the Soling Class at the 2000 Olympic Regatta. This is Jesper's second Gold Medal, having previously taken Gold in 1992 and a Bronze in 1988. Going into the Olympic Regatta, the crew were ranked number 2 in the world.

June 1999 - Tuborg spring Cup (Grade 1) - 2nd March 2000 - Infanta Cristina Trophy (Grade 1) - 1st April 2000 - Soling Fleet Racing World Championship (Grade W) - 1st April 2000 - Semaine Olympique Francaise (Grade 1) - 4th June 2000 - Soling European Championship (Grade 1) - 1st June 2000 - Kieler Wocher (Grade 1) - 1st September 2000 - Olympic Regatta (Grade W) - Match Racing - 1st

Roman Hagara and Hans Peter Steinacher (AUT) In recognition of Roman and Hans Peter's successes in the Tornado Class and domination at the 2000 Olympic Regatta. They wore the yellow leader's bib from Race 2, through until winning the Gold Medal with 2 races to spare, never placing lower than fourth. Going into the Regatta, they were ranked second in the world and have now moved into pole position.

July 1999 - International Tornado World Championship (Grade W) - 1st September 1999 - IBM Sydney Harbour Regatta (Grade 1) - 2nd January 2000 - International Tornado World Championship (Grade W) - 2nd April 2000 - Semaine Olympique Francaise (Grade 1) - 2nd May 2000 - Tornado European Championship (Grade 1) - 1st June 2000 - Tuborg Spring Cup (Grade 2) - 1st June 2000 - Kieler Woche (Grade 1) - 1st September 2000 - Olympic Regatta (Grade W) - 1st

Thomas Johanson and Jyrki Jarvi (FIN) The pairing came into the Olympic Regatta ranked 21st in the world, but from early on were clearly medal contenders in the 49er fleet. Despite winning only one race, their consistency kept them in the top three overall from Race 3 onwards, with their Gold Medal claimed in the penultimate race, to achieve Finland's first medal in sailing for twenty years.

August 1999 - 49er Grand Prix (Grade 2) - 6th August 1999 - 49er Grand Prix IV (Grade 2) - 3rd October 1999 - 49er European Championship (Grade 1) - 20th March 2000 - 49er World Championship (Grade W) - 3rd May 2000 - 49er European Grand Prix I (Grade 2) - 10th May 2000 - 49er European Grand Prix II (Grade 2) - 2nd June 2000 - 49er European Championship (Grade 2) - 2nd July 2000 - Travemunde Woche (Grade 2) - 19th August 2000 - 49er European Grand Prix V (Grade 2) - 10th September 2000 - 2000 Olympic Regatta (Grade W) - 1st

Vincent Lauwers (AUS) In recognition of Vincent's successful solo, non-stop unassisted circumnavigation, the first by a disabled person, which he completed after seven and a half months on 12 August 2000. Since becoming paraplegic in 1990, the voyage was his dream and he then spent 7 years building the boat and preparing for his trip. His circumnavigation was also used to bring to the fore the opportunity to raise money to enhance the quality of life for disabled and disadvantaged children, and his fundraising generated AUS$40,000.

Iain Percy (GBR) Overall series leader from Race 2, through until claiming his Gold medal in the penultimate race, Iain completely dominated the Finn fleet. His consistent sailing and three bullets placed him virtually untouchable on points, requiring only a mid-fleet result in Race 10,which he did with a 14th, to take Gold.

September 1999 - IBM Sydney Harbour Regatta (Grade 1) - 1st December 1999 - Sail Brisbane (Grade 1) - 1st December 1999 - Sydney International Regatta (Grade 1) - 1st January 2000 - Sail Melbourne (Grade 1) - 3rd February 2000 - Sail Auckland, Royal Sun Alliance (Grade 2) - 2nd September 2000 - Olympic Regatta (Grade W) - 1st

Mark Turnbull and Tom King (AUS) In recognition of Mark and Tom's double success in 2000, winning the 470 World Championship and the Olympic Gold Medal. After a 5th place in Race 1, the duo remained in a top three position overall after each day's racing until claiming their Gold in the final race.

September 1999 - IBM Sydney Harbour Regatta (Grade 1) - 5th November 1999 - Go for Gold (Grade 3) - 1st January 2000 - Sail Melbourne 2000 (Grade 1) - 2nd April 2000 - Semaine Olympique Francaise (Grade 1) - 2nd May 2000 - World Championship (Grade W) - 1st May 2000 - Spa Regatta (Grade 1) - 1st June 2000 - Kieler Woche (Grade 1) - 1st September 2000 - Olympic Regatta (Grade W) - 1st

Team New Zealand (NZL) In recognition of Team New Zealand's successful defence of the America's Cup, beating the Italian Challenge, Prada, with a convincing 5-0 win. Team New Zealand is the first non-American team to successfully defend the Cup in 149 years.

FEMALE

Serena Amato (ARG) Serena came into the Olympic Regatta ranked 14th in the world, and after a fairly cautious start moved into serious medal contention after Race 4, and then stayed in the top three positions overall until the end of the series to claim Bronze. This is the first medal won by a female from the South American continent.

September 1999 - IBM Sydney Harbour Regatta (Grade 1) - 14th October 1999 - Semana de Buenos Aires (Grade 3) - 1st January 2000 - Europe Open Week (Grade 1) - 2nd January 2000 - Europe Class Women's Worlds (Grade W) - 15th April 2000 - Princess Sofia Trophy (Grade 2) - 9th April 2000 - Semaine Olympique Francaise (Grade 1) - 14th May 2000 - Spa Regatta (Grade 1) - 6th July 2000 - Europe European Championship (Grade 1) - 18th September 2000 - Olympic Regatta (Grade W) - 3rd

Jenny Armstrong and Belinda Stowell (AUS) Jenny and Belinda started the regatta as they meant to go on with a 1st place, and finished similarly with a 1st to take Gold. Whilst they had fluctuations in their overall position as the regatta progressed, they took the leader's yellow bib from Race 8 and never looked back.

November 1999 - Go for Gold (Grade 3) - 1st April 2000 - Barcelona Olympic Sailing Week (Grade 1) - 2nd April 2000 - XXV International 470 Spring Cup (Grade 1) - 1st April 2000 - Semaine Olympique Francaise (Grade 1) - 1st May 2000 - 470 World Championship (Grade W) - 2nd May 2000 - Spa Regatta (Grade 1) - 3rd June 2000 - 470 European Championships (Grade 2) - 1st June 2000 - Kieler Wocher (Grade 1) - 2nd September 2000 - Olympic Regatta (Grade W) - 1st

Karine Fauconnier (FRA) In recognition of her offshore successes, including in May 2000 winning the two-handed Transat AG2R Trans-Atlantic race from Lorient, France to Saint-Barthelemy, Caribbean, in a fleet of 42 Beneteau Figaro One-Designs. In August 2000, Karine finished eighth in a fleet of 49 boats in the 1500-mile Figaro Solo single-handed race held in four stages from Archachon to Bilbao to St Nazaire to Falmouth via the Fastnet Rock to Falmouth finishing in Cherbourg.

Ellen MacArthur (GBR) In recognition of Ellen's continued success in offshore racing and specifically victory in Class 1 of the Europe 1 New Man STAR (Single Handed Trans-Atlantic Race Plymouth to Newport) in June 2000. Ellen is just 24 years old, and only started racing at aged 19, where she ventured onto an Open 60. She will compete in this year's Vendee Globe round-the-World race, which starts on 5 November, on board her 60-footer Kingfisher.

Shirley Robertson (GBR) Shirley went to Sydney intent on claiming a medal, having narrowly missed out in Savannah. With the exception of Races 1 and 2, she wore the yellow leader's bib from start to finish claiming Gold in the final race. Whilst Olympic training has dominated over the past few months, Shirley is an active match racer and is currently ranked 6th woman in the world.

Europe September 1999 - IBM Sydney Harbour Regatta (Grade 1) - 3rd January 2000 - World Championship (Grade W) - 2nd April 2000 - Semaine Olympique Francaise (Grade 1) - 3rd May 2000 - Spa Regatta (Grade 1) - 3rd July 2000 - European Championship (Grade 1) -5th September 2000 - Olympic Regatta (Grade W) - 1st

Match Racing September 1999 - Women's Open Match Racing Event (Grade 3) - 5th October 1999 - Reed and Barton International Match Racing Championship Grade W) - 5th October 1999 - ISAF Women's Match Racing World Championship (Grade 1) - 3rd December 1999 - Osprey Cup (Grade 1) - 4th June 2000 - Boat US Santa Maria Cup (Grade 1) - 10th

Alessandra Sensini (ITA) With five 1st places, Alessandra claimed Gold in the Mistral Women's fleet having never been out of medal contention, staying in the top 3 overall throughout the regatta. Ranked number 2 in the world prior to the Regatta, she is now in pole position, reflecting her consistent results throughout the year.

August 1999 - European Championships (Grade 2) - 3rd September 1999 - IBM Sydney Harbour Regatta (Grade 1) - 4th November 1999 - Mistral World Championship (Grade 1) - 8th January 2000 - Penta Mistral Cup (Grade 1) - 1st February 2000 - World Championship (Grade W) - 1st March 2000 - Roma Sail Week (Grade 2) - 1st May 2000 - Championnat de France Voile Olympique (Grade 3) - 1st May 2000 - European Championship (Grade 2 ) - 2nd September 2000 - Olympic Regatta (Grade W) - 1st

The winners of the ISAF / Sperry World Sailor of the Year Awards 2000 will be announced at the Annual Dinner and Awards Presentation on Tuesday 7 November 2000, at the Sheraton Grand Hotel, Edinburgh, Scotland.