The 2018 World Sailing Awards rewarded a female duo at the Rolex World Sailors of the Year Grand Ceremony. Carolijn Brouwer (NED)/Marie Riou (FRA) win the title of Sailor of the Year for their success in the 2017-2018 Volvo Ocean Race aboard the Dongfeng Race Team. Cypriot Pavlos Kontides wins the men's trophy for winning consecutive titles at the World Laser Championships.
The two sailors became the first women to win the Volvo Ocean Race after Dongfeng Race Team won the last edition of the race. While Carolijn Brouwer is a renowned offshore skipper and has two Volvo Ocean Race campaigns to her credit, Marie Riou is an Olympic sailor who has twice distinguished herself in Match Racing.
The two women came together to work in unison and make courageous and bold decisions.
"It's a huge privilege." commented Brouwer "Twenty years ago, I won this award for the first time. Therefore, I can say that winning this trophy again, but in a different discipline, shows how diverse sailing is, covering many different disciplines. To be able to accomplish so much in different disciplines of our sport is a great honour."
"To be able to say that Marie and I were the first women to win the Volvo Ocean is something special. We are now part of history and it is definitely something that will remain forever."
Marie Riou added "It's a great feeling to win this award tonight, especially with Carolijn. It's a team award and a great success for a year of hard work with the whole team."
