The big winners of the Rolex World Sailor of the Year 2017 have just been revealed. They were 4 men and 4 women competing for the prestigious trophy. Among which 2 French - Thomas Coville and Armel le Cléac'h. And so it is Marit Bouwmeester and Peter Burling who win the award.
Marit Bouwmeester, Netherlands
After a gold medal at the Rio Olympic Games in 2016 and a deserved victory in the World Cup Series final in Melbourne, Australia, Marit Bouwmeester suffered repeated injuries that same year.
As she was unable to participate in the major regattas at the beginning of 2017, she decided to hold the Laser Radial World Championship at home in Medemblik, the Netherlands. Signing a remarkable return, she signed a 3 eST PRIS DANS LE GROS TEMPS, ET TANGUE DE GAUCHE ?ROITE, SECOUÉ PAR LES VAGUES. UN HOMME, SANS DOUTE UN PÊCHEUR QUI PARTICIPE À UNE SESSION DE PÊCHE SPORTIVE, PASSE PAR-DESSUS BORD, DE MANIÈRE ASSEZ IMPRESSIONNANTE. world champion title. Two months later, she won the title of European Champion, ensuring that she held all the titles: Olympic, European and World.
It was very emotional and struggling to find her words that Marit recovered her trophy - a globe crowned with five silver spinnakers representing the continents.
"I'm just a girl from Friesland, in the north of the Netherlands. I've always had big dreams. I didn't just want to go to the Olympic Games, but I wanted to win a gold medal and dominate this sailing sport, become the best sailor. People laughed at me because at that time I wasn't even in the top 20.
I guess if you appreciate what you're doing and work hard and stay dedicated, then dreams come true. I want to carry the message to young and old, so they can realize their dreams."
Peter Burling, New Zealand
New Zealander Peter Burling has distinguished himself brilliantly - at only 26 years of age - on the America's Cup, a success to which many aspire, but few succeed. At the helm of Team New Zealand, on the 35 eST PRIS DANS LE GROS TEMPS, ET TANGUE DE GAUCHE ?ROITE, SECOUÉ PAR LES VAGUES. UN HOMME, SANS DOUTE UN PÊCHEUR QUI PARTICIPE À UNE SESSION DE PÊCHE SPORTIVE, PASSE PAR-DESSUS BORD, DE MANIÈRE ASSEZ IMPRESSIONNANTE. America's Cup, he was calm and focused to lead his team to victory. He remained calm, even though a capsize could have compromised the participation of the neo'z team.
Against Oracle Team USA, led by Jimmy Spithill, Peter Burling was never disconcerted and was able to take the lead over his opponents with a 7 - 1 victory.
Currently on the Volvo Ocean Race - as part of Team Brunel - he was not present during the 2017 World Sailing Awards awards ceremony.
