Ready, Set, Vote

by Craig Leweck, Scuttlebutt Sailing News
I am a fan of awards that provide recognition for achievement, not so much to provide motivation for excellence, but to offer a historical bookmark. Our sport isn’t great with archiving its history, and awards can provide a snapshot.

However, these awards lose value unless the selection process has guidelines and is defendable. Having been involved in these committees, I often see neither with a heavy dose of bias. The hope is if you have enough people involved, it all balances out. Maybe…

But what I dread most is when the award selection includes public voting, as this format is not done to choose the most deserving, but rather to provide the award and its sponsors with publicity. It is quite effective at doing that, though those up for the awards are now also in a popularity test.

Anyway, the ‘look at me’ world of social media has tilted our ideals, so the World Sailing awards to recognize sustainability initiatives and competitive achievement include a public vote to promote award sponsors 11th Hour Racing and Rolex, respectively.

What’s done is done, so I plead with you to join the public vote and make the best selection. Voting for the award begins September 27 and closes at 0600 UTC on October 25, 2022. To participate, click on awards below:

• 2022 World Sailing 11th Hour Racing Sustainability Award
• 2022 Rolex World Sailor of the Year Awards