The Rolex World Sailor of the Year Awards is the most prestigious award of recognition in the dynamic sport of sailing. Since the awards' inception in 1994, the trophy has proudly accumulated the names of those who have demonstrated unparalleled endurance, performance and accomplishment in sailing.

More than 80 nominations were received for the 2017 Award for sailors demonstrating outstanding achievement in the sport of sailing between 19 September 2016 and 31 August 2017.

The names vying for the coveted and prestigious 2017 Rolex World Sailor of the Year Awards are:

Female
Marit Bouwmeester (NED)
Martine Grael and Kahena Kunze (BRA)
Sarah-Quita Offringa (ARU)
Tara Pacheco (helmed by Fernando Echavarri) (ESP)

Male
Glenn Ashby (AUS)
Peter Burling (NZL)
Thomas Coville (FRA)
Armel Le Cleac'h (FRA)

The male and female winners will be announced on Tuesday 7 November 2017 at the World Sailing Awards Ceremony in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Winners will be presented with the unique marble and silver trophy depicting the globe, crowned with five silver spinnakers representing the continents, together with a Rolex timepiece.