BRISTOL, R.I. (March 3, 2022) – From a shortlist of nine accomplished sailors, three women and three men have been voted as finalists for US Sailing’s 2021 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, voted on by panels of sailing journalists and past winners. Sailors were selected based either on their consistent exceptional performances throughout the 2021 season or for their signature win(s) at major events. These sailors have each mastered their craft, focusing on the importance of precision and performance in their competitive sailing efforts across classes while showing great sportsmanship embodying the spirit of Corinthian competition.
Finalists for US Sailing’s 2021 Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year award (in alphabetical order by first name):
- Anna Weis – Weis was the Tokyo Olympic Games representative in the Nacra 17, finishing 9th overall. After the Games, Anna took on the F50 as part of the U.S. SailGP Team at which finished 2nd Australian Grand Prix.
- Daniela Moroz – Back on the shortlist again, Daniela Moroz won the Women’s Formula Kit European Championship and her 5th Kite Foil World Championship. Moroz is currently ranked 6th in the Formula Kite World Sailing Rankings.
- Nicole Breault – This successful match racer is the 2021 U.S. Sailing Women’s Match Racing Champion and is ranked as the top female match racer in the US and 3rd in the world. Additionally, Breault had success as tactician and main trimmer for her J/105.
Finalists for US Sailing’s 2021 Rolex Yachtsman of the Year award (in alphabetical order by first name):
- Conner Blouin – The 2021 Sunfish North American Champion, Blouin also finished 3rd at the 100 boat Sunfish World Championships. Additionally, he won the US Sailing Championship of Champions, as well as the WASZP North American Championship.
- Dave Hughes – In 2021, Hughes was a member of the winning teams at three Class National Championships: Etchells, J/24s, and the Atlantic Class. Hughes and his teammate, Stu McNay, won the 470 North American Champs and finished 9th at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games (sailed in 2021).
- Harry Melges IV – In 2021, Melges won two E Scow National Championships (the 2021 as well as the rescheduled 2020 Champs), E Scow Inland Champs, and E Scow Spring Champs. Furthermore, he won the Melges 24 Gold Cup, and was part of the 2nd place team atIC37 North Americans.
The 2021 US Sailing Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year Award winners will be announced and presented with specially engraved Rolex timepieces live at St. Francis Yacht Club in San Francisco, CA March 24. The event, held in conjunction with the US Sailing Association Awards, will be livestreamed for all members of the sailing community to enjoy.
Established in 1961 by US Sailing and sponsored by Rolex Watch, U.S.A. since 1980, the annual presentation of US Sailing’s Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year awards are considered the sport’s ultimate recognition of an individual’s outstanding on-the-water achievements for the calendar year.
For more information about these awards, please visit: http://rolex.ussailing.org.
US Sailing Marketing Director: Josh Toso, JoshToso@USSailing.org