Female Nominees: ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Award

During the ISAF Annual Conference next week in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, the 2014 Rolex World Sailor of the Year Award winners will be announced on Tuesday, November 4. Who are the nominees? Here are the three female finalists…

Steph Bridge (GBR) – 42 years
At the 2014 Formula Kite Racing Worlds in Burc Beach, Turkey, Bridge headed out onto the water with intent and focus as she aimed to regain her world title. The Briton was a force to be reckoned with from the word go, blasting her way around the rack track to take the opening bullet, one of six from the week. Bridge took the lead on the opening day and did not relinquish the position as she sealed her fourth world title. MORE

Martine Grael and Kahena Kunze (BRA) – 23 years (both)
The leading lights in the 49erFX, Brazil’s Grael and Kunze have become accustomed to podium finishes and sailing silverware. The childhood friends know how to win with ease and how to fight back. At ISAF Sailing World Cup Mallorca and Hyères they held leading positions throughout the competition to take gold. They were up against it at the Santander 2014 ISAF Worlds, trailing the leaders all week until the penultimate upwind leg of the Medal Race. They turned the tide and overtook their rivals in a nail biting finish to claim their first senior world title. MORE

Charline Picon (FRA) – 30 years
Picon’s aim for 2014 was straight to the point, become Women’s RS:X World Champion. The title had eluded Picon on eight previous attempts but her thirst for the crown was persistent. Having shown her rivals she meant business at ISAF Sailing World Cup Mallorca and the European Championship she went into the Santander 2014 ISAF Worlds as red hot favourite. She laid down a day one marker with two race wins and never looked back, taking the title with a day to spare and finished a staggering 40 points clear of second place. MORE

Click here for Male nominees.