With the change of seasons follows the opportunity to recognize those U.S. sailors who have collected impressive regatta results at home and abroad in 2007. Starting today, US SAILING is accepting nominations for its Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year awards, widely acknowledged as the foremost individual sailing honors in the nation. Through November 30, 2007, every member of US SAILING may nominate the male and female sailor they think has turned in the most outstanding on-the-water performance during the 2007 calendar year. Nominations can be made online through US SAILING’s website at www.ussailing.org/awards/rolex.US SAILING’s Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year Awards are presented annually to the individual U.S. sailors who demonstrate excellence on-the-water at national and/or international events to earn their place in the record books. Jud Smith and Paige Railey, winners of the prestigious distinction for 2006, were the most recent additions to the list oflegendary winners that includes Betsy Alison, Kevin Burnham, Paul Cayard,Dennis Conner, Courtenay Dey, Paul Foerster, Steve Fossett, JJ Isler, John Kostecki, Ken Read, Dawn Riley, Jody Swanson and Ted Turner.At the conclusion of the nomination period, a shortlist of nominees is presented to a panel of noted sailing journalists who discuss the merits of each and vote by secret ballot to determine the award winners. In February2008, each winner will each be presented with a specially-engraved Rolex timepiece. Originally created in 1961, US SAILING’s Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year awards have been sponsored by Rolex Watch U.S.A. since 1980.
