Nominations for top USA sailors in 2026

Nominations for the 2026 Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year are open (click here), widely acknowledged as the premier individual sailing honors in the United States. The awards recognize the individual male and female American sailors who have demonstrated on-the-water excellence at international and national events.

Following closure of the nomination period on December 31, 2026, US Sailing’s Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman nominating committee, approved by the Board of Directors, will select three finalists for both the Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year Award based on the merits of the nominees.

The finalists will be presented to voting groups of past award winners and sailing media journalists who will select the winners. Recipients will be revealed at the inaugural US Sailing Awards Dinner on February 11, 2027, at Chicago Yacht Club in Chicago, IL.

Under the new format, the US Sailing Awards Dinner will move to a different location around the country each year.

“By moving the awards presentation around the country each February, we can bring this celebration directly to different sailing communities and create new opportunities for our members and partners to come together,” noted said Charlie Enright, US Sailing Chief Executive Officer.”

The US Sailing Awards Dinner will recognize:
• Rolex Yachtsman & Yachtswoman of the Year Awards — Recognizing the individual male and female American sailors who have demonstrated on-the-water excellence at international and national events, bringing global recognition to sailing in the United States.
• The Nathanael G. Herreshoff Trophy — US Sailing’s most prestigious award, presented to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the sport of sailing in the United States in any associated activity.
• Kevin Burnham Memorial Award — Presented to a competitor or team of competitors who best exemplifies Kevin Burnham’s spirit and embodies passion, perseverance, persistence, sportsmanship on and off the water, love of the sport and love of fellow competitors.
• The Harman Hawkins Trophy — Awarded to an individual who has made outstanding contributions over a period of time to the sport of sailing in the field of race administration, including judging, race management, umpiring, appeals, racing rules, classification and measurement, and equipment inspection.
• The St. Petersburg Yacht Club Trophy — Awarded to a local sailing organization for exceptional race management at a specific event.

US Sailing’s Training and Education, Coaching, Adaptive Sailing, One Design, and Community Sailing Awards will be presented during the National Sailing Programs Symposium on January 2027 in Fort Myers, Florida.

For more information about US Sailing Awards: https://www.ussailing.org/about/awards/