Five Californians Shortlisted
Among the eight men and six women shortlisted for US Sailing’s Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year are five Californians. Three come from the San Francisco Bay Area: Melges 20 and J/70 world champion John Kostecki of Fairfax in Marin County; 5o5 world champion Mike Martin, another Marinite, from Mill Valley; and IKA Formula Kite world champion Daniela Moroz of Lafayette in the East Bay. Sort of counting as a Bay Area sailor, St. Francis Yacht Club member Paige Railey of Florida, the Laser Radial world championship silver medalist, was also nominated. Kostecki won this honor previously in 1988 and 2002. Railey won previously in 2006.
From Southern California, Olympic bronze medalist Caleb Paine and Briana Provancha, Annie Haeger’s silver medal-winning crew in the 470 South American Championship, both hail from San Diego.
A panel of sailing journalists will discuss the merits of each sailor’s racing results before voting. The winners will be announced in January and honored on Thursday, March 2, during a luncheon at NYYC in Manhattan.
See US Sailing for the complete shortlist.