For 18 years, the French Sailing Federation has been honouring the sailors - men and women - who have marked the year with the prestigious title of Sailor of the Year. In 2018, there are 8 of them (9 in total since a duo makes up the panel) - and only one femme?! - to compete for the award, presented at the Nautic de Paris, on Saturday, December 8 at 7 p.m. on the Stage, in the heart of Hall 1. The winners will be chosen by a professional jury and by public vote, which opens on Tuesday, November 20 at 12 noon and closes on December 6 at midnight. The public vote counts for 2 votes in the final jury of the Sailor of the Year.
Thus, the jury, composed of a president, 5 journalists, 5 representatives of sports institutions, 5 athletes, and the two public votes will choose the sailor of the year. So who will succeed Thomas Coville, sailor of the year 2017 and Hippolyte Machetti & Sidoine Dantes, best prospects 2017??
Honouring French sailors
The year 2018 was again marked by great successes in ocean and coastal racing as well as in Olympic events. In France, as internationally, France enjoys an unfailing reputation in sailing, and continues to prove it. Here are the men and women who have made their mark on the sailing world this year:
- Antoine Albeau - PWA World Champion (Slalom) + 3rd PWA World Championship (Foil)
- Charles Caudrelier and his crew - Winner of the Volvo Ocean Race
- Delphine Cousin - PWA World Champion
- François Gabart - Round the world record at the end of 2017
- Francis Joyon - Winner of the Route du Rhum in Ultimate
- Paul Meilhat - Winner of the Route du Rhum in IMOCA
- Nicolas Parlier - World Champion Kitefoil
- Kevin Peponnet - Jérémie Mion - World champions 470
The nominees for the Best Prospect of the Year are
- Paola Amar (SR Antibes) & Marine Riou (EV Trebeurden): 3rd at the 470 World Youth Championship, 3rd at the 470 European Youth Championship
- Damien Arnoux (Hyères Windsurf Organisation): World Champion Young Slalom, European Champion Young Slalom
- Jamaica Carlotti (WS Guadeloupe) : Young Slalom World Champion
- Violet Dorange & Camille Orion (SR Rochelaises): 3rd at the World Youth Championships in 420, 3rd medal in a row at the YWS
- Amélie Grassi (SN Trinité sur Mer): runner-up in solo ocean racing in the Series category
- Gautier Guevel (CVAN Nantes) & Théo Révil (CNBPP): World Youth Champions in 29er at the YWS 2017, European Champions in 29er, French Champions in 29er Espoirs
- Hippolyte Machetti & Sidoine Dantès (SR Antibes) : World Champions Young 470, 4th at the European Elite Championship of 470
- Angel Margaron (SRC): 5th at the ParaVoile World Championship in Hansa 303 and 4th at the European Championship
- Bruno Mourniac (SR Antibes): SB20 World Champion, Winner of the TourVoile, winner of the Spi Ouest-France in Diam24
- Poema Newland (KSL) : Olympic vice-champion Youth Kiteboarding TT : R, French Champion Espoirs in Kite TTR, 2nd at the World Championship of Kite TTR Open
- Titouan Firecracker (CN Arradon) & Kenza Coutard (CV Saint Aubin Elbeuf): Vice Olympic Youth Champions in Nacra 15
- Manon Pianazza (CN Angoulins) : Vice-champion Olympic Youth Champion in BIC Techno Plus, Vice-Champion of the World in BIC TechnoPlus, Vice-Champion of Europe in BIC 293 7.8, Vice-Champion of France in BIC 293
- Fabien Pianazza (CN Angoulins) : Young RS World Champion: X, 3rd at the Young Youth World Sailing World Championship in RS : X
- Aurélien Pierroz (SR Havre): European Youth Match-Racing Champion
