US Sailing announces finalists for 2023 Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year Awards

US Sailing announces finalists for 2023 Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year Awards © US Sailing

Three men and three women have been chosen as finalists for US Sailing's 2023 Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year Awards. The annual rundown of the year's "best in the U.S." represents a wide range of accomplished sailors from various disciplines and at different stages of their respective careers.

Yachtsman and Yachtswoman finalists earned their spot on this exclusive list by dominating their respective classes and showing true variety in their sailing accomplishments. All six of these sailors represent their own unique pathway to the sport, having demonstrated on-the-water excellence at international and national events bringing global recognition to sailing while representing the United States in 2023.

Some of these sailors were selected based on their consistent exceptional performances throughout the 2023 calendar year and some were chosen for their signature win(s) at major international or national events.

Finalists for US Sailing's 2023 Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year award (in alphabetical order by last name):

Betsy Alison - Well known to many in the sailing community, Alison is a 5x Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year and multi-discipline World Champion. While Alison spent many years coaching the Para Sailing Team, a major hip surgery due to cancer in 2022 made her eligible to compete as a para sailor. In her first regatta since surgery and first Para sailing event as a competitor, Betsy Alison won the Women's Hansa 303 at the 2023 Para Sailing World Championships held on Lake Braassemermeer.

Erika Reineke - 2017 Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year Erika Reineke is in contention for another Rolex in 2023. Reineke's successes this year include representing the US at the Olympic Test Event as well as her stand-out performance at Pan American Games securing a gold medal, earning her a spot as one of this year's Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year finalists. Reineke was also a member of the US SailGP team, helping them to a win in Cadiz this year.

Christina Wolfe - Christina Wolfe is an accomplished offshore sailor, having put thousands of offshore miles under her belt. Wolfe is best known for her doublehanded sailing, that she does often with her husband, Justin. In 2023, Wolfe achieved 1st Overall ORC, 2nd Overall IRC, and Double-handed Line Honors in the Rolex Middle Sea Race, first female skipper overall in the Rolex Fastnet Race, and first in IRC 2 at the De Guingand Bowl, all achieved doublehanded.

Finalists for US Sailing's 2023 Rolex Yachtsman of the Year award (in alphabetical order by last name):

Charlie Enright - As Skipper, Enright led the 11th Hour Racing Team to become the first American team to ever win The Ocean Race in 2023. In his third shot at the elusive Ocean Race Trophy, the win had been over 10 years in the making for his team, and over 6 years in the making for 11th Hour Racing.

Steve Hunt - Professional sailor and coach Steve Hunt has had great success in the Etchells and J/70 fleet, earning him the Rolex nomination. As a tactician and main trimmer, Hunt helped win the 2023 Etchells North Americans, Etchells Nationals, and J/70 European Championship - the first American team to win the latter. Hunt made the podium at two world championships: silver at the J/70 World Championship and bronze at the 2023 Etchells World Championship. Hunt is also notable for his work with High School Sailing, where he has been a coach and a mentor to many.

Allan Terhune Jr. - Terhune's success as skipper of the American Lightning team that won the 2023 Lightning North American Championship and captured the gold medal at the 2023 Pan American Games earned his third nomination for Rolex Yachtsman of the Year. Along with Sarah Chin and Madeline Baldridge, the American contingent placed first or second in all 10 races during the Pan Am Games, making the medal race meaningless but even more exciting when they won that as well, marking the first U.S. gold medal in Lightning class at the Pan American Games since 1999. Terhune also achieved success in the 6 Metre and MC Scow classes, coming in first at the 6M World Championship as tactician and winning both MC Scow Nationals and Midwinters.

The 2023 US Sailing Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year Award winners will be announced and presented with specially engraved Rolex timepieces at a special presentation during the National Sailing Programs Symposium in Savannah, GA February 1, 2024, at the Savannah Yacht Club.