Rolex Sailor of the Year Award Nominations are Open

SinC Rolex Awards Nominations

August 17, 2022

Nominations

Sail Canada is currently accepting nominations for the Rolex Sailor of the Year Award through to September 14th, 2022. Nominees are individuals who:

  1. Have been significantly involved in an activity that, through the year, has provided recognition to Canadian sailing and Sail Canada. Results and accomplishments in world settings are considered in recipient selection, with priorities given to leaders who have attained high levels of excellence in Olympic/Paralympic class sailboat competition.
  2. Have shown leadership qualities with respect to an event or activity.
  3. Demonstrate sportsmanship and the gaining of respect from fellow sailors.
  4. Are Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada.

Nomination Form

The award was first presented in 1986 to America’s Cup supporter Paul Phelan, who successfully organized a merger between Canada’s top 12-meter syndicates. To date, the Rolex Sailor of the Year has been awarded to many more outstanding Canadian sailors.

Previous Winners

2020-2021 – Sarah Douglas
2019 – Sarah Douglas
2018 – Tom Ramshaw
2017 – Brenda Bowskill
2016 – John McRoberts & Jackie Gay
2015 – Lee Parkhill
2014 – Eric Holden
2013 – Terry McLaughlin
2012 – Oskar Johansson
2011 – Paul D Phelan
2010 – Fredrik D Eaton
2009 – Curtis Florence

2008 – Paul Tingley
2007 – Evert Bastet
2006 – Michael Leigh
2005 – Chris Cook
2004 – Ross MacDonald and Mike Wolfs
2003 – Derek Hatfield
2002 – Stephen Tupper
2001 – Terry McLaughlin
2000 – Livius Sherwood
1999 – Richard Clarke
1998 – Dirk Kneulman

1997 – Gerry Roufs
1996 – Bill Abbott, Joanne Abbott and Brad Boston
1995 – Ross Cameron
1994 – Paul Henderson
1993 – Karen Johnson, Jennifer Normand, Suzanne Calladine and Cathy McPherson
1992 – Ross Macdonald and Eric Jespersen
1991 – Hank Lammens
1990 – Ross Macdonald
1989 – Andre Julien
1988 – Lawrence Lemieux
1987 – John Hughes
1986 – Paul J. Phelan, CM

 

Cliquez ici pour le français

Related Articles

  • Sarah Douglas Hangs It Up

    Sarah Douglas Hangs It Up

    December 3, 2025 Two-time Olympian Sarah Douglas announced her retirement from Olympic sailing today, although she will be staying close to the sport through new opportunities. At her first Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2021, Sarah Douglas took the 6th position overall in ILCA 6, which is still to this day the best Canadian female… Read More…

  • The NorthStar SailGP Team announces the addition of Kingston

    The NorthStar SailGP Team announces the addition of Kingston

    December 4, 2025 The NorthStar SailGP Team announces the addition of Kingston’s Ali ten Hove to its roster as Reserve Strategist for the 2026 season of the Rolex SailGP Championship. Ali has been sailing 49er FX class with partner Mariah Millen since 2016. Ali will also serve as a reserve grinder on occasion and will work… Read More…