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The three-times World Champions were nominated by the ISAF on the basis of their winning of the most prestigious award in sailing. After dominating the 470 class for three years, they are now in the final run up to the Olympic Games in Athens in 2004.

At the recently held Athens Regatta, the last Olympic test event before the real deal next year, Sofia and Emilia, sailing on home waters, won the regatta by 17 points and only once strayed outside the top ten in difficult conditions in this world class fleet.

Some of the results the pair have achieved over the last few years go to prove what effective and committed athletes Sofia and Emilia are. Below are some of the results for which they won the ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Award last year.

1st - 470 European Championship, July 2002 - Grade 1
16th - ISAF World Sailing Games, July 2002 - Grade 1
1st - Semaine Olympique Francaise, April 2002 - Grade 1
1st - SPA Regatta, May 2002 - Grade 1
1st - XXXIII Princess Sophia Trophy, March 2002 - Grade 2
1st - Barcelona Olympic Sailing Week, March 2002 - Grade 2
1st - Athens Eurolymp Week, February 2002 - Grade 2
1st - Tzeni Gramalidou Cup, October 2001 - Grade 3
1st - 470 World Championships, September 2001 - Grade W

Since August 2002, they have continued to produce outstanding results, not least winning the Women's 470 World Championship title for the third successive year in September 2002.

1st - Tzeni Gramalidou Cup, October 2002 - Grade 3
1st - Athens Eurolymp, February 2003 - Grade 2
5th - Princess Sofia Regatta, March 2003 - Grade 1
1st - Semaine Olympique Francaise, May 2003 - Grade 1"

Founded in 1974 by Billie Jean KING, the Women's Sports Foundation is a charitable educational organization dedicated to ensuring equal access to participation and leadership opportunities for all girls and women in sports and fitness.
The Foundation's Participation, Education, Advocacy, Research and Leadership programs are made possible by individual and corporate contributions.

Among it's board of trustees is world famous yachtswoman Dawn RILEY (USA), who, accepted presidency of the foundation at the beginning of this year. As a watch leader on the first all women entry in the Whitbread Round the World Race, Dawn is no stranger to the demands of leading a gender equity struggle.

The Sportswoman of the year award 2003 is to acknowledge the achievements of outstanding female athletes and the field was narrowed to 18 finalists from a huge list of nominees. Winners will be notified during September and the award will be presented at the Annual Salute to Women in Sport Dinner to be held on 20 October 2003 in New York City (USA)

For more details of the award, and the Women's Sports Foundation, please follow the link below. To view Sofia and Emilia's ISAF Sailor Biography, please Click Here.