Wednesday, 28 September 2011 17:15
ISAF and Rolex are proud to announce the Nominees for the ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Awards 2011.
The International Sailing Federation (ISAF) received nominations for the 2011 Awards from across the world for sailors representing all aspects of the sport. In deciding the nominees, the achievements of sailors made during the qualifying period of 1 September 2010 and 31 August 2011 are taken into consideration. There can be only one winner in each of the two categories, male and female, and the names of those sailors now vying for the coveted and prestigious 2011 ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Award are announced today.
The 2011 nominees are:
Female
Dee Caffari (GBR) - Record Breaking Round The World Yachtswoman
Sarah-Quita Offringa (ARU) - Double Professional Windsurfing Association World Champion
Alexandra Rickham (GBR) - ISAF Sailing World Cup Champion and IFDS World Champion
Anna Tunnicliffe (USA) - ISAF Sailing World Cup Champion
Male
Ben Ainslie (GBR) - Match Racing World Champion & ISAF Sailing World Cup Champion
Lorenzo Bressani (ITA) - Melges 24 and 32 World Champion
Rob Douglas (USA) - Outright World Speed Record Holder
Iker Martinez & Xabier Fernandez (ESP) - IMOCA60 and 49er Success
Nathan Outteridge (AUS) - International Moth World Champion and 49er Champion
Rob Douglas (USA)
The fastest man on water, kiteboarder Rob Douglas set a new outright world speed record in 2010 in Luderitz, Namibia. On 28 October Douglas was one of five kiteboarders to break the previous record, held by the trimaran L'Hydroptère. Douglas did so by the biggest margin, more than four knots, setting a new record of 55.65 knots or 103.1 kilometres per hour.
The flat water of the 3-5 metre wide, 750 metre long trench and the regularity with which Luderitz produces wind in excess of 40 knots makes it the ideal location for speed record attempts. The enormity of the physical and mental challenge that it takes to exceed 50 knots on a kite board should not be underestimated. The skill and fitness of the athletes involved is truly outstanding. There are only a handful of people who have achieved this benchmark speed, and Douglas' record sets him above them all.
Douglas is no stranger to being the fastest human under sail. In 2008 he claimed the world speed record with a speed of 49.84 knots becoming the first kiteboarder to hold the title. His position was short-lived as the 50 knot barrier was broken in the same year, but Douglas' phenomenal effort in 2010 has eclipsed the competition once again.