Belcher receives top sailing award
Aussie Olympian named World Sailor of the YearOlympic Gold medallist and current World Champion Mathew Belcher (QLD) has received the highest award in the world of sailing, the ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Award. Belcher received the award at the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) awards evening in Muscat, Sultanate of Oman.
The award reflects the many accomplishments of the Queenslander, who has dominated the Men’s 470 class having notched up 17 consecutive regatta victories around the world. Belcher’s unbeaten run started in November 2011 with Malcolm Page (NSW) and culminated with the duo claiming gold at the Olympics in London 2012.
The streak continued with Belcher teaming up with Will Ryan (QLD) just months later. Belcher’s run reached 17 straight events after taking gold at the 2013 470 World Championships in La Rochelle, France.
"It's a complete honour," said Belcher during the awards ceremony. "It is a great recognition for this year and the efforts we've put in and the results we've achieved. I am very fortunate to have great support, from my coach Victor Kovalenko, crew and support staff."
This year was the third time Belcher had received a nomination for ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year.
The winners of the ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Awards were decided by vote by the Member National Authorities (MNAs) of ISAF following a worldwide selection process that began with an open invitation for nominations. Two awards, one for a female sailor/crew and one for a male sailor/crew, were presented to the individuals who are deemed to have most distinguished themselves during the qualifying period from 1 September 2012 to 31 August 2013.
Past recipients of the Awards -- which were launched in 1994 -- have been drawn from the diverse disciplines of the sport: Olympic dinghy and keelboats, single-handed ocean racing, transatlantic record breaking, match-racing, America's Cup and windsurfing are all represented.
In 2010, Australian Sailing Team member and 2012 Olympic champion Tom Slingsby was awarded World Sailor of the year.
The full list of nominees for the coveted and prestigious 2013 ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Awards were:
François Gabart (FRA) - IMOCA World Champion & 2012-13 Vendée Globe Winner
Johnny Heineken (USA) - Kiteboarding World #1 & 2012 Men's Course Racing World Champion
Paul Larsen (AUS) - Vestas Sailrocket 2 Outright Speed Record
Ian Williams (GBR) - Match Racing 2012 Match Racing World Champion
World #1 Open Match Racer for 16 consecutive releases starting in January 2012
Deneen Demourkas (USA) - Farr 30 2013 World Champion - third consecutive title
Erika Heineken (USA) - Kiteboarding 2012 Course Racing World Champion
Raiya Al Habsi (OMA) - First Omani Woman To Sail in the Rolex Fastnet Race
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