ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year, i premi a Grael e alla Tunnicliffe

ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year – Busan – ISAF e Rolex hanno consegnato i premi ai Velisti dell’Anno 2009. A ricevere il prestigioso riconoscimento sono stati Torben Grael, skipper di Ericsson 4 nel corso dell’ultima Volvo Ocean Race, e Anna Tunnicliffe, specialista statunitense del Laser Radial e del match race.

“Sono molto orgoglioso di questo premio e voglio dividere la mia gioia con tutti coloro che hanno reso possibile questa vittoria: i miei compagni di avventura, la mia famiglia, i miei parenti e l’Ericsson Racing Team – ha dichiarato Torben Grael – è stato un anno fantastico che mi ha portato sensazioni ed emozioni che non conoscevo”.

“Mi sento di ringraziare Rolex per tutto quello che fa a sostengo del mondo della vela – ha commentato Anna Tunnicliffe – Ho regatato in tante classi perchè cambiare è la cosa che più mi piace. Il mio riconoscimento va agli sponsor e a tutti quelli che mi vogliono bene e un grazie speciale lo dedico a mio marito, che mi ha sempre permesso di regatare”.

Torben Grael e Anna Tunnicliffe seguono nell’albo d’ore del Velista dell’Anno ISAF Ben Ainslie e Alessandra Sensini.

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Video courtesy Regattanews.

ISAF ROLEX WORLD SAILORS OF THE YEAR, THE WINNERS ARE GRAEL AND TUNNICLIFFE
[Regattanews Press Release] ISAF and Rolex are proud to announce that the male and female winners of the ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Awards 2009 are: Torben Grael and Anna Tunnicliffe.

Torben Grael received his award tonight, and in his winning speech said: “It’s an honour to be here. It’s not the first time I’ve attended this award ceremony, but it’s truly a different feeling to stand here,” he said, from behind the podium.

“I am very thankful, and to be here I represent not only myself but all the people who helped me run my campaigns: the sailors, my family, my parents, my wife, the company Ericsson Racing Team. it’s been a fantastic year and it was a fantastic Volvo Ocean Race. This year has made me aware of some feelings I am not used to,” said an emotional Grael as he accepted his ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Award.

“I’d like to thank Rolex for their continued support- it’s great what they do for our sport,” said Anna Tunnicliffe, upon being named the female ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year. “I’ve had great fun competing in a variety of classes, I love doing it, and I’d like to thank my sponsors, my teams, my parents for being my managers, and my husband for always allowing me to sail.”

The ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Award is the highest award a sailor can receive in recognition of his/her outstanding achievements. The Awards are presented annually based on a worldwide selection process that incorporates an open invitation to nominations, followed by a vote amongst the 130 member nations of the International Sailing Federation (ISAF).

The Awards have been held every year since 1994 and past winners include Peter Blake (NZL), Ellen MacArthur (GBR), Robert Scheidt (BRA) and Russell Coutts (SUI). In 2008 the Awards were presented to four-time Olympic medal winners Ben Ainslie (GBR) and Alessandra Sensini (ITA).

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