
US Sailing
This past week marked a significant moment in sailing, with the final votes being cast for the esteemed Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year awards. We can all look forward to the announcement of this year’s winners on February 6 during the awards ceremony at the US Sailing Leadership Forum in sunny San Diego. Having had the privilege of being part of the media panel for decades, I can genuinely say that the shortlist of nominees this year is nothing short of exceptional. It showcases the remarkable talent and achievements of American sailors in both the men’s and women’s categories. While all nominees deserve recognition for their accomplishments, only one will take home the coveted timepiece and secure a spot among the legends of our sport.
This year’s finalists featured some incredible women: the round-the-world solo sailor Cole Brauer, the one-design expert and world champion crew Monica Morgan, and the impressive IC37 class racer Hannah Swett, who also happens to be the 2003 Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year. Our discussions around these nominees were vibrant, to say the least. We couldn’t help but acknowledge Brauer’s remarkable achievement of finishing second in the Global Solo Challenge Race, marking her as the first woman to sail solo around the globe. Not only did she push the boundaries of the sport, but she also built an extraordinary following on social media that engaged thousands.
While Brauer might not have clinched the victory in her Class 40, First Light, she certainly captured the hearts of many with her indomitable spirit and tenacity in a race that began with 16 boats but only saw seven finish. Her journey brought offshore sailing into the limelight, perhaps even overshadowing last year’s Rolex Yachtsman of the Year, Charlie Enright, with numerous appearances in mainstream media outlets, including People magazine. It’s remarkable when a sailor achieves that level of visibility!

Bruce Durkee
While I have no doubt that Brauer has a strong chance of winning the Rolex, I personally cast my vote for Monica Morgan.
Now, let me explain my reasoning. The guidelines provided to the voting panel outline several considerations, prioritized in this order: 1. Results from the calendar year only; 2. The caliber of events on a nominee’s record; 3. Fleet depth; 4. Competition weight; 5. The nominee’s role on the boat; 6. Crew dynamics; 7. Sportsmanship; 8. Amateur versus professional status.
The last three considerations have been introduced more recently and have a subjective flavor, particularly the sportsmanship aspect, thus they carry less weight than the first three, which have always been the primary focus. For me, the key metrics are results, caliber, and depth. Winning is crucial, and achieving victory in an international regatta is paramount. Although Brauer’s feats are remarkable, she didn’t emerge as the winner, and the competition wasn’t as robust as one might hope. Even the event organizers acknowledged that the Global Solo Challenge 2023 wasn’t an elite competition.
Monica Morgan is a familiar name in the US one-design racing scene, renowned for her professionalism on the bow and the vast skill set she brings to each team. She not only excels in boat preparation, but she also balances the demands of being a mother while contributing significantly to elite Etchells and Lightning programs. Her accomplishments include winning the world championship title with Travis Odenbach in the J/24 class, along with both the J/24 Nationals and North Americans. Every finish she has achieved seems to hint at potential greatness, with a track record of consistent top-five placements across multiple classes. She stands out as a world champion, a title not shared by her fellow finalists.
The selection process isn’t influenced by followers, likes, or media presence; what truly matters are the results, and Morgan has an abundance of those.
When it comes to the Rolex Yachtsman of the Year, no distinction can overshadow an Olympic medal. For Hans Henken and Ian Barrows, their bronze medal in the highly competitive 49er class during the challenging trials in Marseille, France, was the culmination of tremendous effort. In any other year, the two world titles achieved by Jeremy Wilmot in both the J/70 and Melges 24 classes would likely have made him the frontrunner. The world titles earned by nominee Travis Odenbach in the J/24 and J/22 classes are equally impressive, but Henken and Barrows garnered my vote. I believe Wilmot and Odenbach would agree with this decision.

Lexi Pline/ US Sailing Team
Congratulations are in order for all the nominees, from the shortlist to the finalists. The state of American sailing is thriving, and we can only look forward to even greater achievements in the future.