Steve Fossett, age 57, of Chicago, and Cory Sertl, age 42, of Rochester, New York have won the Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year, respectively. A panel of sailing journalists selected the two accomplished sailors for this year’s distinction from a short list of six nominees for the Rolex Yachtsman and five nominees for the Rolex Yachtswoman.
Established in 1961 by US SAILING and sponsored by Rolex Watch, USA since 1980, the Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year Awards recognise outstanding on-the-water achievement in the calendar year just concluded. The winners will be honored at a luncheon and press conference at the New York Yacht Club in New York City on 15 February 15 where they will be presented with Rolex timepieces.
Steve Fossett Accomplished sailor and celebrated adventure sportsman Steve Fossett was recognised for shattering not one, but five speed sailing records aboard his 125-foot catamaran PlayStation. The records are for the fastest times sailing from Miami to New York; across the Atlantic; around England’s Isle of Wight; and across the English Channel. While shattering the TransAtlantic record, Fossett also posted the fastest time for distance covered in a 24-hour period.
“I’m a happy, happy guy,” said Fossett. “It is very gratifying to be recognised by my peers in the sport, especially for the kind of sailing I do. Normally sailors measure themselves against others in boats of the same class. My goal is also to be the fastest. Even when in a race, I focus on setting the race record as well as winning my class.”
One panelist noted that Fossett “didn’t just nick the record, he obliterated it,”shaving off almost two days to post a new benchmark of four days, 17 hours, 28 minutes and six seconds. To smash the 24-hour record, he covered an astounding 687.17 nautical miles (790.2 statute miles) at an average speed of 28.63 knots.
“The TransAtlantic record is far and away the most important to me,” said Fossett.
“There have been 24 attempts in 11 years to break it, and three of those were made by me. The second is the 24-hour record, since it defines who has sailed the fastest in an ocean, anywhere in the world, any time.”
Fossett, who has been sailing only since 1993, holds a total of 18 world sailing and race records. Legendary for his ability to achieve seemingly impossible feats, he also holds nine world records in jet airplanes and balloons. His six attempts to make the First Solo balloon flight around the world have set many records and attracted international media attention. Piloting his Citation X jet, he has set Round the World as well as transcontinental airplane records for Australia and North America.
Additionally, Fossett has completed premier endurance sporting events including the legendary Iditarod, Ironman Triathlon and the English Channel Swim. He also has raced international sports cars at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Rolex 24 at Daytona.
Cory Sertl
Cory Sertl, who also is the 1995 Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year, was cited by the panel for her versatility in two disciplines: fleet racing and one-on-one match racing. She also showed prowess both as a skipper and a crew at several different regattas throughout the year.
“The last time I won this award,” said Sertl, “it wasn’t for winning a lot of regattas so much as it was for consistently doing well. This time around, it’s more satisfying having won some regattas that I’m really proud of.”
High on Sertl’s achievement list was her victory at the Rolex International Women’s Keelboat Championship held in September. The biennial event, which Sertl had been trying to win as a skipper ever since she crewed to win the inaugural event in 1985, is considered the pinnacle of women’s international fleet racing. With the 2001 regatta having incorporated a move to Annapolis from Newport RI, and a switch from J/24 sailboats to the J/22, it attracted more high-caliber sailors than ever. Vi