World Sailing, the world governing body of the sport, and Rolex, the leading name in prestige watches that includes watches engineered specifically for sailing, are pleased to announce a line-up of Rolex World Sailor of the Year 2018 nominees that personify excellence.
The nominated sailors represent the best of the best in international sailing over the last 12 months, with kiteboarders, offshore racers and Olympic class specialists all shortlisted.
At just 17 years old, Daniela Moroz (USA) is the leading competitor in Women’s Foiling Kiteboarding.
Moroz became a first-time World Champion in 2016 in the IKA Foiling Formula Kite, and successfully defended her title a year later. At the Hempel Sailing World Championships in Aarhus, Denmark in 2018, she held on to it again for a third successive year.
The American’s dominance in Aarhus was astonishing. Out of 15 races sailed, Moroz won 14, blowing past all of her rivals with ease to take a convincing gold. At the 2018 European Championships she was just as commanding, winning 13 of 14 races.
The names vying for the coveted and prestigious 2018 Rolex World Sailor of the Year Awards are:
Female
Caterina Banti (ITA) – 2018 Nacra 17 World Champion
Carolijn Brouwer (NED) / Marie Riou (FRA) – Volvo Ocean Race winners
Daniela Moroz (USA) – 2018 Formula Kiteboarding World Champion
Wendy Tuck (AUS) – Clipper Round the World Race winning skipper
Male
Charles Caudrelier (FRA) – Volvo Ocean Race winning skipper
Sime and Mihovil Fantela (CRO) – 2018 49er World Champions
Pavlos Kontides (CYP) – 2018 Laser World Champion
Dorian van Rijsselberghe (NED) – 2018 Men’s RS:X World Champion
Ruggero Tita (ITA) – 2018 Nacra 17 World Champion
On Tuesday, October 30, 2018, the winners will be announced at the World Sailing Awards Ceremony in Sarasota, Florida, USA.
Each winner will be presented with the unique marble and silver trophy depicting the globe, crowned with five silver spinnakers representing the continents, together with a Rolex timepiece.
The Awards night is the social highlight of the World Sailing Annual Conference and 2018 is set to be a ground breaking edition with the introduction of the World Sailing 11th Hour Racing Sustainability Award, the Team of the Year and the Boat of the Year.