US SAILING’s Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman
of the Year Awards: Nominations Now Accepted

Portsmouth, R.I. (September 27, 2006) – Throughout the busy 2006 sailing season, many U.S. sailors have achieved impressive regatta results at home and abroad. Starting today, US SAILING is accepting nominations for its Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year awards, considered the highest individual sailing honors in the country. Through November 30, 2006, US SAILING members can nominate the male and female sailors who they think have turned in the most outstanding performances on the water in this calendar year and have earned their places in the history books. The nominations are accepted online at 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 through outstanding on-the-water achievement at national and/or international events during the calendar year. Nick Scandone and Sally Barkow won this prestigious distinction in 2005, joining a long list of sailing legends, including Betsy Alison, Ed Baird, Paul Cayard, Dennis Conner, Paul Foerster, Steve Fossett, JJ Isler, John Kostecki, Dawn Riley, Cory Sertl, 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 February 2007, the winners each will be presented with a specially-engraved Rolex timepiece and the perpetual Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year Trophy: a Steuben crystal interpretation of the yacht America.

US SAILING’s Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year awards were originally created in 1961 by US SAILING and have been sponsored by Rolex Watch U.S.A. since 1980.

About Rolex Watch U.S.A.
Since Rolex Watch U.S.A. first presented timepieces to America's Cup defenders in 1958, the company has consistently recognized and encouraged excellence in every important arena of competitive sailing, including US SAILING championships, disabled sailing, and offshore, one-design and women's events. The Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year Awards join other prestigious Rolex-sponsored events including US SAILING's Rolex International Women's Keelboat Championship, Rolex Big Boat Series, Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, International Rolex Regatta, Giraglia Rolex Cup, Rolex Commodores' Cup and the New York Yacht Club's Race Week at Newport presented by Rolex.

About US SAILING
The United States Sailing Association (US SAILING) is the national governing body for sailing and sailboat racing. Headquartered in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, the organization’s mission is to encourage participation and promote excellence in sailing and racing in the U.S. US SAILING offers training and education programs, supports a wide range of sailing organizations and communities, and provides administration and oversight of competitive sailing across the country, including National Championships, the US Sailing Teams and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Sailing Teams. For more information, please visit www.ussailing.org.  

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