Outstanding Performances in 2016

Nominations are now being accepted for US Sailing’s 2016 Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year awards, widely acknowledged as the foremost individual sailing honors in the nation.

For the 2015 competitive season, first-time winners Steve Benjamin of Norwalk, CT and Anne Haeger of East Troy, WI were awarded the prestigious distinction.

But who has turned in the most outstanding on-the-water performance during the 2016 calendar year? Who has demonstrated on-the-water excellence at international and/or national events to earn their place in the history of the sport? Here have been the suggestions with all victories as skipper unless otherwise noted:

MEN
Justin Callahan – Optimist US Team Trials, Optimist Bermuda Nationals and Asian & Oceanian Championship (3rd)
Augie Diaz – Star Worlds
Bora Gulari – Melges 24 US Nationals
Hap Fauth – Maxi 72 Worlds
Terry Hutchinson – Maxi 72 Worlds*, TP52 Worlds, Farr 40 Worlds*
John Kostecki – Melges 20 Worlds*, J/70 Worlds*
Mike Marshall – J/22 Worlds
Mike Martin – 505 Worlds
Stu McNay – 470 US Nationals, 470 North Americans
Scott Rasmussen – College Singlehanded Nationals
Alex Roepers – Farr 40 Worlds
Caleb Paine – Rio Olympics, Bronze (Finn)
Mark Rogers and Ian Rogers, Pacific Cup aboard their Moore 24 “Mas!”.
Nevin Snow – US Match Racing Championship
Rick Doerr, Brad Kendell, Hugh Freund – Rio Paralympics, Silver (Sonar)
Russ Silvestri – Six Meter North Americans, U.S. Adult Sailing Championship
Lloyd Thornburg – Record setting on MOD70 Phaedo3
Will Welles – J/24 US Nationals, J/24 North Americans
* tactician

WOMEN
Nicole Breault – US Women’s Match Racing Championship
Daniela Moroz – Kite Foil World Championship
Erika Reineke – College Singlehanded Nationals

We want to make sure no candidate is forgotten. Feel free to suggest yourself. Please add your suggestion(s) and primary accomplishment in the comments below or email to editor@sailingscuttlebutt.com