Male 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 five male finalists…

Mat Belcher and Will Ryan (AUS) – 32 years and 25 years
Belcher and Ryan have dominated the Men’s 470 class, finishing on the podium at every major regatta they’ve competed at. Whilst their unbeaten run was ended in January 2014 their hunger for victory was intensified as they left their rivals in their wake at the Santander 2014 ISAF Worlds and Open European Championship. Their victory in Santander was their second consecutive world title together and brings Belcher’s tally to a record-breaking five in a row. MORE

Peter Burling and Blair Tuke (NZL) – 23 years and 25 years
New Zealand’s Burling and Tuke have been a class above the rest in the 49er demonstrating exceptional teamwork, athletic prowess and drive that cannot be rivalled. Over the nomination period the Kiwis brushed aside their challengers with ease, finding an edge that many can only dream of. They took their first world title in Marseille, France in 2013 and in their defense of the title at the Santander 2014 ISAF Worlds they crushed the opposition, sealing gold with a 46 point margin. MORE

Bill Hardesty (USA) – 39 years
A talented tactician and helm, Hardesty is accustomed to fleet and match racing success. The American was tactician on-board Ninkasi at the 2013 Melges 20 World Championship in Florida, USA where he claimed the class’ first world title. Hardesty then steered a hard working young team on Line Honors to glory at the 2014 Etchells World Championship, sealing the deal with a day to spare as he picked up his third World title in the class. As tactician, Hardesty has also been pivotal to Ian Williams’ triumphs on the Alpari World Match Racing Tour as they finished second overall in 2013 and took Match Race Germany honours in May 2014. MORE

Giles Scott (GBR) – 27 years
Towering Briton Scott has been head and shoulders above the Finn fleet picking up seven consecutive regatta victories. Scott has been a formidable force in the Finn with no one able to match him blow for blow on the race track. Scott looked untouchable in his build up to the Santander 2014 ISAF Worlds and with his eyes on the prize he delivered in the Spanish city with a cool, calm and collected performance to comfortably win his second Finn world title. MORE

James Spithill (AUS) – 35 years
On the brink of defeat at the 34th America’s Cup in San Francisco, USA Spithill led his team to one of the greatest comebacks in sporting history. Oracle Team USA trailed Emirates Team New Zealand 8-1 in a first to nine quest for the Auld Mug, but even though Oracle were down, they weren’t out. Skipper Spithill masterminded a comeback of epic proportions. Levelling the score at 8 apiece and in a winner take all final race, the Australian maintained his crew’s focus right until the very end to take victory and with it, his second America’s Cup win. MORE

Click here for Female nominees.