US Sailing announces new format for annual awards featuring Rolex Yachtsman Yachtswoman of the Year

US Sailing opens nominations for 2026 Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year © US Sailing

US Sailing today announced a new format for its annual awards celebration, with the inaugural US Sailing Awards Dinner featuring the presentation of the Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year Awards set for February 11, 2027, at Chicago Yacht Club.

Under the new format, the US Sailing Awards Dinner will move to a different locations around the country each year, providing an opportunity to connect with yacht clubs and US Sailing members across the country.

The US Sailing Awards Dinner celebrates the sport's premier awards, honoring the individuals, competitors, race officials and organizations whose exceptional achievements, leadership and contributions have made a lasting impact.

"We are thrilled to announce the new format for the US Sailing Awards featuring the Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year," said Charlie Enright, US Sailing Chief Executive Officer. "These awards provide an important opportunity to recognize the athletes, volunteers, race officials, organizations and supporters who continue to shape and strengthen our sport. By moving the awards presentation around the country each February, we can bring this celebration directly to different sailing communities and create new opportunities for our members and partners to come together. We look forward to celebrating the achievements of the past year while building connections and creating momentum for the future."

Awards presented as part of the celebration will include:

• Rolex Yachtsman & Yachtswoman of the Year Awards — Recognizing the individual male and female American sailors who have demonstrated on-the-water excellence at international and national events, bringing global recognition to sailing in the United States.
• The Nathanael G. Herreshoff Trophy — US Sailing's most prestigious award, presented to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the sport of sailing in the United States in any associated activity.
• Kevin Burnham Memorial Award — Presented to a competitor or team of competitors who best exemplifies Kevin Burnham's spirit and embodies passion, perseverance, persistence, sportsmanship on and off the water, love of the sport and love of fellow competitors.
• The Harman Hawkins Trophy — Awarded to an individual who has made outstanding contributions over a period of time to the sport of sailing in the field of race administration, including judging, race management, umpiring, appeals, racing rules, classification and measurement, and equipment inspection.
• The St. Petersburg Yacht Club Trophy — Awarded to a local sailing organization for exceptional race management at a specific event.

US Sailing's Training and Education, Coaching, Adaptive Sailing, One Design, and Community Sailing Awards will be presented during the National Sailing Programs Symposium in January 2027 in Fort Myers, Florida.

For more information about US Sailing awards visit: ussailing.org/about/awards