International Sailing Federation World Sailing has presented the 2017 Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year awards. For the second time in his career, the title of Yachtsman of the Year went to Peter Burling: this year the 26-year-old New Zealander won the America's Cup «» as skipper of Team New Zealand. The last time the title went to Burling was in 2015. At that time, he, along with fellow 49er Blair Tuke, was awarded the balloon statuette for the Olympic gold medal in the class.
In addition to Berling, Team NZ sail-wing trimmer Glenn Ashby of Austria, reigning record holder for fastest solo round-the-world sailing, Thomas Coville, and recent Vendee Globe winner Armel Le Cleac 'h were all up for the title of World Sailor of the Year.
The awards ceremony was held on 7 November in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Peter Berling himself could not attend the event - he is currently taking a contrasting shower on board Team Brunel in the second round of the Volvo Ocean Race. The Kiwi, however, has recorded a video message for the jury and all sympathisers.
Never particularly eloquent, Burling spoke in his own way. « It's an honor to receive this award again. I hope you all are enjoying a good evening, and...thank you»," said the yachtsman, shrugging his shoulders at the end.
The Dutch Marit Baumeister, gold medalist at the Rio Olympics in the «Laser Radial class», was named the best yachtswoman of 2017 . Marit beat Brazilian duo Martine Grael and Kahena Kunze to take Olympic gold in the 49th FX class. the titled surfer Sarah-Quita Offringa and Tara Pacheco of the Spanish Olympic team who, together with Fernando Echavarri, were silver medallists in the first world championship in the class «Nakra 17».
«I'm just an ordinary girl from Friesland. We have our own language, nationality and flag there. I've always had big dreams. I didn't say I wanted to compete in the Olympics, I said I wanted to win gold and be the best in sailing. People laughed at me, I was not even in the top twenty at the time. I think if you love what you do, work hard, then your dreams will come true. So I would like to wish everyone to follow their dreams -», - said the athlete in an interview after the awards ceremony.
In addition to the silver and marble globe award, the winners of World Sailor of the Year received a Rolex watch, the main sponsor of the competition. Congratulations on your victory!
The «Yachtsman of the Year Award» has been in existence since 1994. Last year it went to Santiago Lange of Argentina, who teamed up with partner Cecilia Carranza-Saroli to win gold in the Nacra 17 at the Rio Olympics, and to the British 470 class duo of Hannah Mills and Saskia Clarke.
