And the nominees are....

ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Awards shortlist published

ISAF and Rolex are proud to announce the male and female sailors who have
been shortlisted for the ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Awards 2006. The criteria for nomination was 'outstanding achievement' in the period 1 September 2005 until 31 August 2006 and ISAF received numerous nominations for sailors who met this criteria.

The shortlisted sailors cover a broad spectrum of accomplishment within the
sport and close voting is expected to decide the winners. The nominees are:

Female

Mónica AZÓN CANALDA, Sandra AZÓN CANALDA and Graciela PISONERO CASTRO (ESP)
Dee Caffari (GBR)
Dorte Jensen (DEN)
Helena Lucas (GBR)
Daida Moreno (ESP)
Paige Railey (USA)

Male
Peter Gilmour (AUS)
Sébastien Josse (FRA)
Yves Parlier (FRA)
Bruno Peyron (FRA)
Mike Sanderson (NZL)

The 121 ISAF Member National Authorities (MNAs) - the national governing bodies for sailing - around the world will now be invited to vote for the one female nominee and one male nominee whom they feel deserves the honour of receiving the ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Award 2006.

The winners will be unveiled at the ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Awards Dinner and Presentation on 7 November 2006 at the Wanha Satama, an historic warehouse in the harbour district of Helsinki, Finland. Each winner will be presented with the prestigious ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Award Trophy and a Rolex timepiece.

The achievements of the nominees are:

Female nominees:

Mónica Azon Canalda, Sandra Azon Canalda and Graciela Pisonero Castro (SPA))

In 2003 the Azon sisters teamed up with Graciela Pisonero to campaign the Yngling and have been a force to be reckoned with ever since - but it was during 2006 that they really came to the fore.

Team Azon claimed two continental titles in 2006, winning the ISAF Grade C1 North American and European titles. Sandwiched between those victories was the big one - the World Championship. The gold medal at the Worlds in La Rochelle, France was the ultimate prize and with it came a return to the number one position on the ISAF World Sailing Rankings, confirming the status of this talented Spanish team.

Team Azon finished in the top ten at all but one of the ISAF Graded events they entered in the nomination period and lead their class rivals by more than 200 points on the World Rankings.

4th - Rolex Miami OCR, Miami, USA - ISAF Grade 1 - Jan 2006
1st - Yngling North American Championship, Miami, USA - ISAF Grade C1 - Feb 2006
8th - HRH Princess Sofia Trophy, Palma de Majorca, ESP - ISAF Grade 2 - Apr 2006
9th - Semaine Olympique Française, Hyères, FRA - ISAF Grade 1 - May 2006
1st - Yngling World Championship, La Rochelle, FRA - ISAF Grade W - Jul 2006
6th - Yngling Open, Medemblik, NED - Jul 2006 (ungraded)
1st - Yngling European Championship, Medemblik, NED - ISAF Grade C1 - Jul 2006
15th - Qingdao International Regatta, Qingdao, CHN - ISAF Grade 2 - Aug 2006
ISAF World Sailing Ranking position at the end of the nomination period (2 August 2006)


Dee Caffari (GBR)

In May 2006 Dee Caffari entered the record books when she became the first woman to sail singlehanded westabout non-stop around the world. On 21 November 2005, Caffari departed on her record breaking voyage which would stretch her to the limit physically and emotionally. 178 days, 3 hours, 5 minutes and 34 seconds after she crossed the start line at the Lizard Caffari returned across the start line to set the record.

Sailing the modified 72ft steel yacht which she had previously skippered in the 2004-2005 Global Challenge with a crew of 18, Caffari embarked on the 26,000 mile voyage taking the same route against the prevailing winds and currents. Expecting to experience some of the most challenging tests of her life, Caffari was not disappointed and encountered some of the most hostile conditions on the planet. Her epic 104 day passage through the icy wastes of the Southern Ocean is beyond comprehension for most sailors.

Battered by winds of over 50 knots in the Southern Ocean she also suffered from equipment failure, fatigue and the extremes of the Doldrums but remained resolute throughout. As the first woman to sail singlehanded westabout non-stop around the world, Dee Caffari has inspired sailors and non-sailors alike around the world and set a benchmark for the future.

Singlehanded westabout non-stop round the world record - first woman - Aviva - 178 days, 3 hours, 5 minutes and 34 seconds - 21 Nov 2005 - 18 May 2006


Dorte Jensen (DEN)

Dorte Jensen (DEN) made a spectacular return to the women's match racing circuit in 2006 when she claimed the Dexia Private Banking ISAF Women's Match Racing World Championship title despite being a virtual outsider.

Unranked on the women's circuit, Jensen claimed the host nation's wild card entry to the Championship and went on to demonstrate why she was previously the world's number one ranked women's match race skipper. After stepping away from match racing to complete an Olympic campaign in the Yngling, Jensen became a mother in 2005 and made a last minute decision to compete at the Match Racing Worlds on her home waters in Denmark.

Primarily sailing with a mixed crew at on the Open Match Racing Circuit, Jensen also has a string of medals from ISAF Graded open events during the nomination period and is the highest ranked female skipper on the Open Rankings. For the Worlds however, she brought together a talented women's team, put in some intensive training and demonstrated outstanding teamwork, skill and determination throughout the World Championship.

Jensen's defeat of the defending champion and the world number one ranked women's skipper on her way to the finals signalled her return to match racing was serious. Meeting Marie Bjorling (SWE) in the final for the third time in the history of the event, Jensen despatched her with a final score of 3-0 to claim her fourth ISAF Women's Match Racing World Championship title.

1st - International Berlin Championship Match Race of H-Boats, Berlin, GER - ISAF Grade 3 - Oct 2005 (open)
6th - Berlin Match Race 2005, Berlin, GER - ISAF Grade 2 - Nov 2005 (open)
2nd - JP Morgan Fleming Winter Challenge 5, London, GBR - ISAF Grade 3 - Jan 2006 (open)
2nd - RMC 2, Skovshoved, DEN - ISAF Grade 4 - Apr 2006 (open)
2nd - Ice Breaker Cup 2006, Gothenburg, SWE - ISAF Grade 3 - Apr 2006 (open)
1st - Dexia Private Banking ISAF Women's Match Racing World Championship, Skovshoved, DEN - ISAF Grade W - May 2006 (women)


Helena Lucas (GBR)

Helena Lucas uniquely illustrates the accessibility of sailing demonstrating outstanding performance during the nomination period in both Paralympic and Olympic disciplines.

Lucas sailed a 2.4mR for the first time in 2004 and quickly proved her ability to adapt to new challenges and new techniques. She kicked off the 2006 nomination period with an outstanding bronze medal at the 2.4mR World Championship, an event open to able bodied and disabled sailors. She followed this up with a silver medal at the Alcoa IFDS World Disabled Sailing Championships in January 2006 and another silver in Hyères. While the lure of Olympic competition is always close to her heart and her sights are firmly set on the 2008 Paralympic Sailing Competition, Lucas also thrives on competing in Open fleets.

When Lucas was asked to stand in for new mother and double Olympic gold medallist Shirley ROBERTSON in the Yngling at the 2006 Qingdao International Regatta she jumped at the chance. Lucas's thirst for learning and genuine talent brought her to the podium yet again with a silver medal in her first event sailing the Yngling.

3rd - 2.4mR World Championship, Elba, ITA - Sep 2005 (2nd disabled)
2nd - Alcoa IFDS World Disabled Sailing Championships, 2.4mR, Perth, AUS - Jan 2006
2nd - Semaine Olympique Française, 2.4mR, Hyères, FRA - May 2006
6th - Kiel Week, 2.4mR, Kiel, GER - Jun 2006
11th - 2.4mR World Championship, Helsinki, FIN - Aug 2006 (3rd disabled)
2nd - Qingdao International Regatta Yngling, Qingdao, CHN - ISAF Grade 2 - Aug 2006

Daida Moreno (ESP)

Daida Moreno is well known as one of the world's most outstanding female windsurfers and in 2006 again demonstrated why she is a formidable opponent on the circuit. Winning the PWA Women's Freestyle and Super X world championships capped an exceptional year for Moreno.

The season began for Moreno at the 2006 London Boat Show where the top windsurfers gathered for indoor competition in jump, freestyle and slalom disciplines. Moreno cleaned up taking first place in all three. Continuing round the PWA circuit, she won the Guicho Wave Contest, the Teguise Super X World Cup plus the freestyle and wave events at the Pozo Grand Slam. Second place at the freestyle event at the Fuerteventura Grand Slam was a rare lapse as Moreno went on to secure the two PWA World titles to add to an already extensive collection that includes the World Cup Wave title which she clinched right at the start of the nomination period in October 2005.

Moreno's passion for windsurfing is further illustrated by the training camps she runs with her twin sister Iballa to encourage girls into windsurfing and improve their skills.

1st -Nivea World Cup, Sylt, GER - Oct 2005 (wave)
PWA Wave World Champion 2005
1st - London Boat Show, London, GBR - Jan 2006 (Jump, Freestyle and slalom)
1st - PWA World Cup Guicho Wave Contest, Guicho, POR - Jun 2006
1st - PWA Costa Teguise Super X World Cup, Lanzarote, ESP - Jun 2006
1st - Gran Canaria PWA Grand Slam, Pozo, Gran Canaria, ESP - Jun 2006 (freestyle and wave)
2nd - Fuerteventura PWA Grand Slam, Sotavento, Fuertevenura, ESP - Jul 2006 (freestyle)
PWA Freestyle World Champion 2006
PWA Super X World Champion 2006


Paige Railey (USA)

Ever since the Laser Radial was selected as the women's singlehanded dinghy for the 2008 Olympic Sailing Competition, Paige Railey has shown the world that she means business. At her first event in the current nomination period she claimed the 2005 Laser Radial World Championship title in Brazil and went on to claim five more top spots at ISAF Graded events in 2006.

Silver at the ISAF Grade 1 Rolex Miami OCR was swiftly followed by the North American title and victory at the Midwinters East. Railey then turned her attention to the European circuit and after a slow start in Palma de Mallorca, she won the gold medal in Hyères before travelling to Austria for the ISAF World Sailing Games where she picked up another gold medal.

After disappointing performances at both the European and World Championships, Railey was undeterred and emphasised that the gold medal at the 2008 Olympic Sailing Competition is her ultimate goal. The Qingdao International Regatta in China, the first test event for the next Olympic Games, was sewn up by Railey before the Medal Race. She continues to sit on top of the ISAF World Sailing Rankings, a position she has held throughout the nomination period.

1st - Laser Radial World Championship 2005, Fortaleza, BRA - ISAF Grade W - Dec 2005
2nd - Rolex Miami OCR, Miami, USA - ISAF Grade 1 - Jan 2006
1st - Laser Radial North American Championship, Fort Lauderdale, USA - ISAF Grade C1 - Feb 2006
1st - Laser Midwinters East, Florida, USA - ISAF Grade 1 - Feb 2006
8th - HRH Princess Sofia Trophy, Palma de Majorca, ESP - ISAF Grade 2 - Apr 2006
1st - Semaine Olympique Française, Hyères, FRA - ISAF Grade 1 - May 2006
1st - ISAF World Sailing Games, Neusiedl, AUT - ISAF Grade 2 - May 2006
18th - Laser Radial European Championship, Riccionne, ITA - ISAF Grade C1 - Jun 2006
1st - Qingdao International Regatta, Qingdao, CHN - ISAF Grade 2 - Aug 2006

ISAF World Sailing Ranking position at the end of the nomination period (2 August 2006) - 1


Male nominees

Peter Gilmour (AUS)

In 2006 Peter Gilmour put his own emphatic stamp on the Match Racing world. Not only did he win the World Match Racing Tour for the third consecutive time, in doing so he also claimed the 2006 ISAF Match Racing World title before the championship season had officially ended.

For 25 years, Gilmour has been consistently at the top of the match-racing scene and is a formidable opponent. Victories at three ISAF Grade 1 match racing events and third place at two more proved a tough act to follow. Gilmour secured the World Match Racing Tour title after completing just six of the eight stages, accumulating a lead of 39 points over his nearest rival.

Starting the nomination period at number two on the ISAF World Match Race Rankings, Gilmour's consistent regatta wins brought him up to the number one spot in December 2005.

9th - ISAF Match Racing World Championship - ISAF Grade 1 - Sep 2005
1st - Monsoon Cup, Kuala Terengganu, MAS - ISAF Grade 1 - Dec 2005
3rd - ACI H1 Match Race Cup, Rovinj, CRO - ISAF Grade 1 - May 2006
1st - Match Race Germany, Langenargen, GER - ISAF Grade 1 - Jun 2006
1st - Locman Cup - Elba Island, ITA - ISAF Grade 1 - Jul 2006
3rd - Portugal Match Cup - Cascais, POR - ISAF Grade 1 - Jul 2006
9th - St Moritz Match Race - St Moritz, SUI - ISAF Grade 1 - Aug 2006
Winner of the World Match Racing Tour Championship 05-06 and ISAF Match Racing World Championship 2006

ISAF World Sailing Ranking position at the end of the nomination period (24
August 2006) - 2


Sébastien Josse (FRA)

Sébastien Josse (FRA) entered the record books in 2006 when he claimed the monohull 24 hour distance record. As the skipper of ABN AMRO TWO in the Volvo Ocean Race 2005-2006, 31 year old Josse consistently exhibited outstanding leadership skills as he moulded the youngest team in the race into a force to be reckoned with. Success came quickly as the team took second place on the first two legs and then finished as they had started with second in the final Leg 9.

The monohull 24 hour distance record fell to ABN AMRO TWO on 10-11 January during Leg 2 from Cape Town to Melbourne. Just 45 days earlier ABN AMRO One skippered by fellow nominee Mike Sanderson (NZL) had snatched the record from movistar, setting the bar at 546.14 nautical miles, but Josse and his team just kept going faster. They became the first monohull to go above 550 nautical miles when they ate up 558 in 24 hours before they pushed themselves and their boat to the limit to set the record at an incredible 562.96 nautical miles, an average speed of 23.45 knots.

With the possibility of a podium finish in his first ever Volvo Ocean Race, Josse and the ABN AMRO Two crew had their dreams shattered when tragedy struck on Leg 7 from New York to Portsmouth. When crew member Hans Horrevoets (NED) was washed overboard in extreme conditions in the middle of the night, the outstanding seamanship skills of Josse and his team enabled them to recover Horrevoets against the odds but they were sadly unable to save his life. Continuing to Portsmouth to complete the leg, Josse faced up to a second potential tragedy when they diverted to rescue the crew of movistar who had abandonned ship following serious keel damage. Once again, Josse and the ABN AMRO Two team displayed exceptional strength of character and skill as the entire movistar crew was saved and further tragedy was avoided.

24 hour distance record, monohull, crewed - 562.96 nm - average speed 23.45 knots - 10-11 Jan 2006
Outstanding seamanship displayed on Leg 8 of the Volvo Ocean Race 2005-2006 - the quick recovery of Hans Horrevoets and the rescue of the movistar crew.


Yves Parlier (FRA)

In April 2005, Yves Parlier suffered a serious accident when his new 60ft catamaran Médiatis Région Aquitane capsized while he was attempting to break the 24 hour distance record. A fall of 12 metres broke three of Parlier's vertebrae but he was not to be defeated. After slowly overcoming the ordeal, Parlier and his team worked diligently to understand the boat's potential and make another attempt on the record.

One year after the accident, a weather window opened up for Parlier and he was back on the water with a crew of five. The long standing 24 hour distance record for a yacht up to 60 feet came tumbling down as Parlier blasted his way across the North Atlantic, adding an enormous 57.81 nautical miles to the previous record held by Laurent Bourgnon since 1994 to set the record at 597.81 nautical miles.

Just over a month later and Parlier went for the double and on 18-19 May he snapped up the singlehanded record as well. Covering 586 nautical miles over 24 hours, Parlier notched up an average speed of 24.41 knots and adding 43.3 nautical miles to the previous record.

24 hour distance record, crewed up to 60 foot - Médiatis-Région Aquitane - 597.81 nm - average speed 24.91 knots - 9-10 Apr 2006
24 hour distance record, single-handed - Médiatis-Région Aquitane - 587.4 nm - average speed 24.47 knots - 18-19 May 2006


Bruno Peyron (FRA)

World renowned multihull sailor Bruno Peyron returned to the record circuit with Orange II in 2006 and smashed both the 24 hour distance record and the Transatlantic west to east record in emphatic style.

On Sunday 2 July 2006, Peyron and his team set out from New York to tackle the Transatlantic west to east record then held by Steve Fossett and Playstation. The weather window Peyron chose could hardly have been better and the 13 man crew knew that they had a great chance of smashing their own 24 hour distance record as well. In the first day of racing Orange II clocked up a staggering 752 nautical miles, adding a massive 45.8 miles to their previous record set in 2004. Peyron and his team did not back off and sure enough they went further and faster to set a new 24 hour distance record of 766.8 nautical miles at an average speed of 31.95 knots.

Not only did Peyron smash the record, and become the first skipper to go beyond the 750 nautical mile mark in 24 hours, but he is also the first to hit 700 miles and the first to hit 600 nautical miles.

Peyron went on to lead his crew on to smash the Transatlantic west to east record as well, taking more than nine hours off the time set by Fossett in 2001.

24 hour distance record, outright - Orange II - 766.8 nm - average speed 31.95 knots - 2-3 Jul 2006
Transatlantic west to east, Ambrose Light, New York, USA - Lizard Point, Great Britain - Orange II - 4 days, 8 hours, 23 minutes and 54 seconds - 2-6 Jul 2006


Mike Sanderson (NZL)

After an inauspicious start to the Volvo Ocean Race 2005-2006 when Mike Sanderson and his team on ABN AMRO One finished sixth in the first In Port race, there was no looking back.

Victory in Leg 1 from Vigo to Cape Town was one of eleven first place finishes for Sanderson in a highly competitive fleet featuring many of the world's best sailors. Sanderson and his team secured their overall victory five months later when they sailed into Portsmouth to take first place in Leg 7. Their massive cushion of points was unassailable by the rest of the fleet but the team continued to perform to an exceptional standard, taking three more podium spots from the remaining legs and In Port races.

Through the race, Sanderson and ABN AMRO One picked up maximum points at all but one of the scoring gates, and from a maximum of 108.5 points available they picked up 96 - clear indication of their sheer dominance of the event.

6th - In Port Race 1 (Vigo)
1st - Leg 1 (Vigo to Cape Town)
1st - In Port Race 2 (Cape Town)
1st - Leg 2 (Cape Town to Melbourne)
1st - In-Port Race 3 (Melbourne)
2nd - Leg 3 (Melbourne to Wellington)
1st - Leg 4 (Wellington to Rio de Janeiro)
1st - In Port Race 4 (Rio de Janeiro)
1st - Leg 5 (Rio de Janeiro to Baltimore)
6th - In Port Race 5 (Baltimore)
1st - Leg 6 (Baltimore to New York)
1st - Leg 7 (New York to Portsmouth) - overall win secured
1st - In Port Race 6 (Portsmouth)
2nd - Leg 8 (Portsmouth to Rotterdam)
1st - In Port Race 7 (Rotterdam)
6th - Leg 9 (Rotterdam to Gothenburg)

Maximum points were claimed by ABN AMRO One at all but one of the scoring gates

1st - Class 0, Skandia Cowes Week, Isle of Wight, Great Britain - 29 Jul-5 Aug 2006