Outstanding Performances in 2015

Nominations are now being accepted for US Sailing’s 2015 Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year awards, widely acknowledged as the foremost individual sailing honors in the nation.

For the 2014 season, Terry Hutchinson and Stephanie Roble were awarded the prestigious distinction… who should win it for 2015?

We did a quick brainstorm and came up with this list of U.S. individuals and their notable achievement(s):

MEN
Geoff Becker – Lightning Worlds
Andy Burdick – MC-Scow Nationals, C-Scow Nationals. Melges 24 US Nationals*
John Demourkas – Farr 40 Worlds
Skip Dieball – Etchells Worlds
Chris Doyle – J/22 Worlds
Jonathon Farrar – IOD Worlds
Hap Fauth – Maxi 72 Worlds, Key West Race Week, Caribbean 600, Cowes Week
Terry Flynn – J/22 Midwinters, J/22 North Americans, J/109 North Americans*, J/80 North Americans*
George Gamble – J/111 Worlds
Bill Hardesty – Melges 20 Worlds*, J/70 Worlds*
Mike Holt – 505 Worlds
Rod Jabin – Farr 30 Worlds
John Kilroy – Melges 20 Worlds
Stuart McNay – 470 Europeans
Wiley Rogers – I-420 Jr Europeans, I-420 Worlds (2nd)
Pedro Pascual  – RS:One Europeans, RS:X Worlds (10th, U21 Div)
USA team – Team Race Worlds**
Will Welles – J/24 Midwinters, J/24 North Americans, J/24 Nationals*
Chris Williford – 29er North Americans, High School Nationals (A Div), 29er Worlds (3rd)
* tactician
** We know they can’t win as it is an individual award, and not a team award. Just wanted to recognize them anyway.

WOMEN
Nicole Breault – ISAF Nations Cup Grand Final, US Women’s Match Racing Championship, Mayors Cup
Annie Haeger – 470 Rio Test Event, 470 Europeans (3rd)
Erika Heineken – KiteFoil Gold Cup
Stephanie Houck – Club 420 US Nationals, US Jr. Women’s Doublehanded Championship
Morgan Kiss – Women’s College Nationals (A Div)
Sarah Newberry – F18 US Nationals
Marion Lapert – RS:X Worlds (4th, U21 Div)
Stephanie Roble – Buddy Melges Challenge, Lysekil Women’s Match (2nd)
Jody Starck – Lightning North Americans

Note: All individuals were helms, and all achievements were victories, unless otherwise noted.

Our list focuses on what it takes to win the award, which is typically the highest achievement in each class or type of racing, or a volume of success, or both.

But who are we missing? Who else has had outstanding on-the-water performances during the 2015 calendar year?

Add your suggestion in the comments below or email to editor@sailingscuttlebutt.com