The 1998 ISAF World Sailor of the Year Awards were held in Palma de Mallorca, Spain on 3 November 1998. The Presenters were 1992 Olympic Gold Medallist in the 470 Class, Patricia Guerra (ESP) and renowned journalist Bob Fisher (GBR).
Male Winner - Ben AINSLIE (GBR)
In recognition of his ongoing success in the Laser Class during the year, including winning the 1998 titles of Laser World Champion, Laser European Champion, and qualifying GBR for the 2000 Olympic Regatta. He also claimed pole position on the Laser Rankings - the ISAF World Sailing Rankings for Olympic Classes.
Female Winner - Carolijn BROUWER (NED)
In recognition of her success in the Europe Class Dinghy, with golds at the 1998 Europe Class World Championships, 1998 Pre-pre Olympic Regatta, and wins at virtually every ISAF graded event in which she competed during the year of nomination.
Ben AINSLIE (GBR)
In recognition of his successes at the following events over the past year, and claiming first position in the Single-Handed Dinghy Open Rankings (the ISAF World Sailing Rankings for Olympic Classes) as of 2 February 1998:
The Achievements of Ben Ainslie
August 1997 - UK Nationals (Grade 3) - 1st
August 1997 - Laser Europeans (Grade 1) - 3rd
October 1997 - Australian International Regatta (Grade 3) - 2nd
October 1997 - Laser World Championships (Grade WC) - 3rd
January 1998 - Australian Laser Championships (Grade 1) - 4th
January 1998 - Sail Melbourne (Grade 2) - 1st
March 1998 - Laser World Championships (and Olympic Qualification for the Single-handed Dinghy Open) (Grade WC) - 1st
April 1998 - Semaine Olympique Francaise (Grade 1) - 2nd
June 1998 - Kieler Woche (Grade 1) - 1st
August 1998 - UK Nationals - 1st
September 1998 - Laser Europeans (Grade 1) - 1st
Elizabeth (Betsy) ALISON (USA)
In recognition of her many successes on the match racing circuit, including winning the women's match racing event at the 1998 Dubai ISAF World Sailing Championship.
The Achievements of Elizabeth (Betsy) Alison
September 1997 - 1st Rolex International Women's Keelboat Championship (Grade 1)
December 1997 - 1st Osprey Women's International Match Racing Championship (Grade 2)
March 1998 - 1st Dubai ISAF World Sailing Championship - Women's Match Racing (Grade WC)
March 1998 - 2nd Dubai ISAF World Sailing Championship - Women's Fleet Racing
May 1998 - 3rd Santa Maria Cup (Grade 2)
June 1998 - 3rd ACI Women's Cup (Grade 2)
During the past year, from August 1997, Betsy has risen from 2nd to 1st in the Women's Match Race Rankings and from 46th to 20th in the Open Match Race Rankings - the official rankings for match racing.
Carolijn BROUWER (NED)
In recognition of the following success in the Single-Handed Dinghy Women -Europe which includes winning the 1998 Europe World Championship. Her consistent results over the past year have placed herin the top three places at all the ISAF graded events in which she has participated, with one exception.
The Achievements of Carolijn Brouwer
November 1997 - Sydney International Regatta (Grade 2) - 1st
January 1998 - Sail Melbourne (Grade 2) - 1st
February 1998 - Royal Sun Alliance Regatta (Grade 3) - 1st
March 1998 - Roma Sail Week (Grade 2) - 2nd
April 1998 - Princess Sofia Trophy (Grade 2) - 3rd
April 1998 - Semaine Olympique Francaise (Grade 1) - 2nd
May 1998 - Spa Regatta (Grade 1) - 1st
June 1998 - Danish Olympic Spring Regatta (Grade 2) - 1st
June 1998 - Kieler Woche (Grade 1) - 1st
August 1998 - Europe World Championships (Grade WC) - 1st
With effect from the Official ISAF Rankings for Olympic Classes issued on 30 June 1998, Carolijn claimed pole position on the rankings, a position which she holds to date.
Crew of EF Education - the Women's entry in the Whitbread-Round-the-World- Race for the Volvo Trophy (Multi-National)
In recognition of their successful completion of the Whitbread-Round-the-World-Race for the Volvo Trophy by the all-female crew on EF Education, skippered by Christine Guillou (FRA). EF Education is only the third all-female yacht to compete in and complete this gruelling 31,600 mile race.
Leg 1 - 9th
Leg 2 - 8th
Leg 3 - 9th
Leg 4 - 9th
Leg 5 - Retired
Leg 6 - 9th
Leg 7 - 8th
Leg 8 - 4th
Leg 9 - 9th
Crew of Royal Sun Alliance (Multi-National)
In recognition of the endeavour by the all-female crew to claim the Round-the-World non-stop record for the Jules Verne Trophy in March 1998, and their earlier success in October 1997 of smashing the Cross Channel Record from Cowes-St Malo.
Michel DEJOYEAUX (FRA)
Winner of the 1998 Le Figaro, the four-stage, single-handed race fought over the Bay of Gascogne, the English Channel and the Irish Sea. Sailed in one-design 30 footers, this race is a true test of skill and stamina. Desjoyeaux finished this 1,500 mile race with an overall time of 294 hours, 43 minutes and 44 seconds.
Leg 1 - Cherbourg (FRA) - Dublin (IRL) - 1st
Leg 2 - Dublin (IRL) - Ile de Groix (FRA) - 2nd
Leg 3 - Ile de Groix (FRA) - Gijon (ESP) - 1st
Leg 4 - Gijon (FRA) - Concarneau (FRA) - 5th
Mateusz KUSZNIEREWICZ (POL)
Previously a nominee in 1996, his 1998 nomination is iin recognition of his consistent success in the Olympic Men's Single-Handed Dinghy Event, Finn. Including placing in the top three of many of the ISAF Graded events during 1998 and winning the 1998 Finn Gold Cup.
The Achievements of Mateusz Kusznierwicz
November 1997 - Sydney International Regatta (Grade 2) - 2nd
January 1998 - Sail Melbourne (Grade 3) - 2nd
March 1998 - Roma Sail Week (Grade 2) - 1st
April 1998 - Princess Sofia Trophy (Grade 2) - 3rd
April 1998 - Semaine Olympique Francaise (Grade 1) - 2nd
May 1998 - SPA Regatta (Grade 1) - 3rd
June 1998 - Finn European Championships (Grade 1) - 5th
June 1998 - Kieler Woche (Grade 1) - 1st
August 1998 - Finn Gold Cup (Grade WC) - 1st
EF Language - Swedish entry in the Whitbread-Round-the-World-Race for the Volvo Trophy (Multi-National)
In recognition of the success of Paul Cayard, (USA), and the crew of EF Language in winning the 1997/98 Whitbread Round the World Race for the Volvo Trophy. The unquestional skill of EF Language's crew was demonstrated by their four 1st places in this nine leg race.
Leg 4 - 4th
Leg 5 - 1st
Leg 6 - 2nd
Leg 7 - 3rd
Leg 8 - 6th
Leg 9 - 2nd