Grondin, Cayard claim 2025 Rolex honors

US Sailing has revealed the 2025 Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year Awards, with Paul Cayard and Laura Grondin recognized for the most outstanding performances in sailing by American athletes over the past year.

A nomination period submitted possible candidates, with a committee selected by US Sailing to advance the top three men and women. The award recipients were announced at New York Yacht Club’s Champions Dinner on February 12, 2026 in New York City, co-hosted by New York Yacht Club and US Sailing.

Each year, the awards not only recognize individual achievement but also inspire future generations of sailors to pursue excellence. The selection process emphasizes not only competitive success, but also the sportsmanship, leadership, and commitment that define exceptional sailors.

A seasoned veteran on the racing scene, Paul Cayard has no shortage of titles to his name. But his mainstay has been the Star Class, where in 2025 he won the World Championship, triumphing over a fleet of 100-plus boats.

This championship win is Cayard’s second Star World title – 37 years after his first World’s win. He also placed third at the Star North American Championship. Outside of Star sailing, Cayard is an accomplished tactician, winning the Voiles des St. Tropez on Twin Soul B.

Laura Grondin made history as the first female helm to win the J/70 World Championship this past year, with the title coming down to the final moments of the final race. Grondin also finished second at the Melges 24 World Championship, overcoming a collision and two DNFs early in the regatta.

A former International Melges 24 Class Chair, Grondin is also one of the class’s most accomplished female owner-drivers, consistently demonstrating competitive excellence and leadership both on and off the water.

Paul Cayard and Laura Grondin

From left: Pearl Lattanzi, Paul Cayard, Laura Grondin, Justin Callahan, Alli Bell (Taylor Canfield unable to attend)

Established in 1961 by US Sailing and sponsored by Rolex, these awards are widely regarded as the highest individual honors in American sailing.

For more information on the awards: https://www.ussailing.org/competition/awards-trophies/us-sailings-rolex-yachtsman-yachtswoman-of-the-year-awards/

Past Winners:
2025 – Paul Cayard and Laura Grondin
2024 – Ian Barrows and Hans Henken/Cole Brauer
2023 – Charlie Enright/Christina Wolfe
2022 – Ravi Parent/Daniela Moroz
2021 – Harry Melges IV/Daniela Moroz
2020 – No awards due to pandemic
2019 – Mike Martin and Adam Lowry/Daniela Moroz
2018 – Jud Smith/Carmen and Emma Cowles
2017 – Peter Duncan/Erika Reineke
2016 – Caleb Paine/Daniela Moroz
2015 – Steve Benjamin/Annie Haeger
2014 – Terry Hutchinson/Stephanie Roble
2013 – Brian Porter/Jody Starck
2012 – Johnny Heineken/Jen French
2011 – Bill Hardesty/Anna Tunnicliffe
2010 – Stan Honey/Anna Tunnicliffe
2009 – Bora Gulari/Anna Tunnicliffe
2008 – Terry Hutchinson/Anna Tunnicliffe
2007 – Jeff Linton/Sally Barkow
2006 – Jud Smith/Paige Railey
2005 – Nick Scandone/Sally Barkow
2004 – Paul Foerster & Kevin Burnham/Jody Swanson
2003 – Augie Diaz/Hannah Swett
2002 – John Kostecki/Liz Baylis
2001 – Steve Fossett/Cory Sertl
2000 – Mark Reynolds & Magnus Liljedahl/JJ Isler & Pease Glaser
1999 – Eric Doyle/Dawn Riley
1998 – Paul Cayard /Betsy (Gelenitis) Alison
1997 – Chris Larson/JJ Isler
1996 – Dave Ullman/Courtenay (Becker) Dey
1995 – Ed Baird/Cory Sertl
1994 – Ken Read/Danielle Brennan
1993 – Cam Lewis/Betsy (Gelenitis) Alison
1992 – Kevin Mahaney/Julia Trotman
1991 – Ed Adams/JJ Isler
1990 – Jim Brady/Courtenay Becker
1989 – Larry Klein/Jody Swanson
1988 – John Kostecki/Allison Jolly & Lynne Jewell
1987 – Ed Adams/Susan Dierdorff Taylor
1986 – Dennis Conner/JJ Isler
1985 – Ken Read/Kathy Steele & Heidi Backus
1984 – Bill Buchan/Betsy Gelenitis
1983 – Dave Curtis/Wendy Thomson
1982 – Randy Smyth/Betsy Gelenitis
1981 – Dave Curtis/Betsy Gelenitis
1980 – Dennis Conner/Lynne Jewell
1979 – Ted Turner/Nell Taylor
1978 – Buddy Melges/Bonnie Shore
1977 – Ted Turner/Jan O’Malley
1976 – Lowell North/Allison Jolly
1975 – Dennis Conner/Joan Ellis
1974 – Ted Hood/Sally Lindsay
1973 – Ted Turner/Sally Lindsay
1972 – Buddy Melges/Jane Pegel
1971 – Ding Schoonmaker/Jane Pegel
1970 – Ted Turner/Jan O’Malley
1969 – Robert F. Johnson/Jan O’Malley
1968 – Lowell North/June Methot
1967 – Bus Mosbacher/Betty Foulk
1966 – Bill Cox/Jerie Clark
1965 – Dick Tillman/Timothea (Schneider) Larr
1964 – Bob Bavier/Jane Pegel
1963 – Joe Duplin/Leggie Mertz
1962 – Bus Mosbacher/Sue Sinclair
1961 – Buddy Melges/Timothea Schneider

Source: US Sailing