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 recognize the individual male and female U.S. sailors who have demonstrated on-the-water excellence at international and national events to earn their place in the history of the sport. These prestigious awards are widely viewed by the sail-racing industry as the foremost individual competitive sailing honors in the nation.
US Sailing Announces Winners of the 2024 Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year Awards
Bristol, RI (February 6, 2025) – US Sailing is proud to announce the winners of the prestigious 2024 Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year Awards. Ian Barrows and Hans Henken have been named the Rolex Yachtsmen of the Year, while Cole Brauer has been named the Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year. These awards recognize their exceptional accomplishments in the sport of sailing over the past year.
The winners were honored earlier today at an awards ceremony during the US Sailing Awards Ceremony at the 2025 US Sailing Leadership Forum in Coronado, California. The selection process involved a vote by past Rolex Award winners and prominent members of the sailing media. For more information about the selection process, please visit US Sailing’s website.
About the 2024 Winners:
Ian Barrows & Hans Henken – Rolex Yachtsmen of the Year
Ian Barrows and Hans Henken secured a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games in the Men’s Two-Person Skiff – the 49er, breaking an eight-year Olympic medal drought for the United States. Despite weather delays that added stress to their final medal race, the duo executed a remarkable performance, clinching the bronze medal on the final leg of the race.
Following their Olympic success, Barrows joined the coaching staff at the College of Charleston, where he continues to inspire and develop future sailing talent. Henken has returned to the roster of the USA SailGP Team, serving as a flight controller and grinder. Their resilience and skill on the international stage have earned them recognition as the best in American sailing for 2024.
Cole Brauer – Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year
Cole Brauer made history and captivated the global sailing community during the inaugural Global Solo Challenge, a single-handed, non-stop ‘round the world ocean race designed to reduce the cost and environmental impact of ocean racing. Competing aboard her Class 40 First Light, Brauer achieved second place in the race, becoming the first American woman to sail solo around the world.
Brauer’s journey was not only a feat of endurance and skill but also a storytelling triumph. Through her regular photo and video updates on Instagram, she amassed nearly 400,000 followers, bringing the adventure and challenges of solo ocean racing to a new audience. Her achievements have redefined what is possible in the sport and inspired countless sailors and fans worldwide.
Past Winners
2024 – Ian Barrows & Hans Henken / Cole Brauer
2023 – Charlie Enright / Christina Wolfe
2022 – Ravi Parent / Daniela Moroz
2021 – Harry Melges IV / Daniela Moroz
2020 – Not awarded
2019 – Mike Martin & Adam Lowry/Daniela Moroz
2018 – Jud Smith/Carmen & Emma Cowles
2017 – Peter Duncan/Erika Reineke
2016 – Caleb Paine/Daniela Moroz
2015 – Steve Benjamin/Annie Haeger
2014 – Terry Hutchinson/Stephanie Roble
2013 – Brian Porter/Jody Starck
2012 – Johnny Heineken/Jen French
2011 – Bill Hardesty/Anna Tunnicliffe
2010 – Stan Honey/Anna Tunnicliffe
2009 – Bora Gulari/Anna Tunnicliffe
2008 – Terry Hutchinson/Anna Tunnicliffe
2007 – Jeff Linton/Sally Barkow
2006 – Jud Smith/Paige Railey
2005 – Nick Scandone/Sally Barkow
2004 – Paul Foerster & Kevin Burnham/Jody Swanson
2003 – Augie Diaz/Hannah Swett
2002 – John Kostecki/Liz Baylis
2001 – Steve Fossett/Cory Sertl
2000 – Mark Reynolds & Magnus Liljedahl/JJ Isler & Pease Glaser
1999 – Eric Doyle/Dawn Riley
1998 – Paul Cayard /Betsy (Gelenitis) Alison
1997 – Chris Larson/JJ Isler
1996 – Dave Ullman/Courtenay (Becker) Dey
1995 – Ed Baird/Cory Sertl
1994 – Ken Read/Danielle Brennan
1993 – Cam Lewis/Betsy (Gelenitis) Alison
1992 – Kevin Mahaney/Julia Trotman
1991 – Ed Adams/JJ Isler
1990 – Jim Brady/Courtenay Becker
1989 – Larry Klein/Jody Swanson
1988 – John Kostecki/Allison Jolly & Lynne Jewell
1987 – Ed Adams/Susan Dierdorff Taylor
1986 – Dennis Conner/JJ Isler
1985 – Ken Read/Kathy Steele & Heidi Backus
1984 – Bill Buchan/Betsy Gelenitis
1983 – Dave Curtis/Wendy Thomson
1982 – Randy Smyth/Betsy Gelenitis
1981 – Dave Curtis/Betsy Gelenitis
1980 – Dennis Conner/Lynne Jewell
1979 – Ted Turner/Nell Taylor
1978 – Buddy Melges/Bonnie Shore
1977 – Ted Turner/Jan O’Malley
1976 – Lowell North/Allison Jolly
1975 – Dennis Conner/Joan Ellis
1974 – Ted Hood/Sally Lindsay
1973 – Ted Turner/Sally Lindsay
1972 – Buddy Melges/Jane Pegel
1971 – Ding Schoonmaker/Jane Pegel
1970 – Ted Turner/Jan O’Malley
1969 – Robert F. Johnson/Jan O’Malley
1968 – Lowell North/June Methot
1967 – Bus Mosbacher/Betty Foulk
1966 – Bill Cox/Jerie Clark
1965 – Dick Tillman/Timothea (Schneider) Larr
1964 – Bob Bavier/Jane Pegel
1963 – Joe Duplin/Leggie Mertz
1962 – Bus Mosbacher/Sue Sinclair
1961 – Buddy Melges/Timothea Schneider