Oracle Team USA skipper James Spithill, along with Emirates Team New Zealand young guns Peter Burling and Blair Tuke are among the nominees for the ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year award for 2014. In a release announcing the nominations, the achievements were spelled out clearly. James Spithill (AUS): “On the brink of defeat at the 34th Americas Cup in San Francisco, USA, James Spithill led his team to one of the greatest comebacks in sporting history. ORACLE TEAM USA trailed Emirates Team New Zealand 8-1 in a first to nine quest for the Auld Mug, but even though ORACLE were down, they werent out. Skipper James Spithill masterminded a comeback of epic proportions. Levelling the score at 8 apiece and in a winner take all final race, the Australian maintained his crews focus right until the very end to take victory and with it, his second Americas Cup win.” Peter Burling and Blair Tuke (NZL): “New Zealands Peter Burling and Blair Tuke have been a class above the rest in the 49er demonstrating exceptional teamwork, athletic prowess and drive that cannot be rivalled. Over the nomination period the Kiwis brushed aside their challengers with ease, finding an edge that many can only dream of. They took their first world title in Marseille, France in 2013 and in their defence of the title at the Santander 2014 ISAF Worlds they crushed the opposition, sealing gold with a 46 point margin.” Burling and Tuke were also members of the team that won the inaugural Red Bull Youth Americas Cup. Congratulations to the other male nominees: Mat Belcher and Will Ryan (AUS); Bill Hardesty (USA) and Giles Scott (GBR), as well as the female nominees: Steph Bridge (GBR); Martine Grael and Kahena Kunze (BRA); Charline Picon (FRA). The winners will be announced in November. More here: sailing.org/news/38984.php
Posted on: Wed, 01 Oct 2014 18:45:16 +0000
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