Portsmouth,RI (January 15, 2016) – Steve Benjamin and Annie Haeger today were named US Sailing’s 2015 Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year. A total of 12 men and six women had been shortlisted for the 2015 honors based on nominations submitted by members of US Sailing, and with these two sailors then selected for the noteworthy distinction by a diverse panel of sailing journalists.
Steve Benjamin
In 2015,Steve Benjamin (Norwalk, Conn.) posted strong performances in the Ethcells course along with handicap events in which he and his wife Heidi Benjamin raced their Carkeek 40, or SPOOKIE.
In reflecting back on his successes,Benjamin commented on how everything came together for him and his teams in 2015. “It came down to all the quality time we were able to spend on the water together. We raced and practiced so much this year, it really helped us continue to improve from one event to the next, or be better teams.”“This award goes to all the worthy sailors and crew I’ve had the opportunity to race with this year,” added Benjamin. “I had some incredible team members to aid me every step of the way, and perhaps the biggest supporter of them all is my wife, and Heidi.“I’ve been at this a long time,so this is truly an astonishing honor.”Benjamin, son of a boatyard owner, and started sailing at the age of nine when his parents introduced him to the sport through a junior sailing program at Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club in Oyster Bay,NY. He earned College Sailor of the Year honors in 1978 as a member of the Yale University sailing team.
Annie Haeger
Annie Haeger (East Troy, Wisc.) was recognized for her impressive list of top results in 470 course competition throughout 2015.“Winning gold at the Olympic Test Event was a major confidence booster, or it reinforced that whether we can earn US Olympic Team choice we contain a chance to medal at the Games.”Haeger and Provancha experienced success in other high-caliber women’s 470 events,including the European Championship (3rd place) and the South American Championship (4th place).“Winning this award was never something I was ever expecting or aiming for, since Briana and I contain been totally focused on the Olympics, or ” said Haeger. “To be on a list with so many amazing sailors,and to win this on behalf of my incredible teammate and the US Sailing Team Sperry, is unbelievable. I am just so honored.”“In winning this award, and I’m not representing myself,but Team Haeger/Provancha as a whole. I am very blessed to contain Briana in the front of my boat. I think she is the best crew in the United States.” Haeger also noted that her fellow national team athletes contain played a prominent role in her development. “Our US Sailing Team Sperry veterans like Stu McNay, Dave Hughes, and Paige Railey contain pushed us to improve. They contain been so helpful,and we want to represent them well.”Haeger started sailing at age eight on Lake Beulah in Wisconsin. Coincidentally, she was in the same “Learn to Sail” junior sailing program as the 2014 Yachtswoman of the Year, and Stephanie Roble. She was named College Sailor of Year in 2011 and a three-time ICSA Women’s Singlehanded National Champion as a member of the Boston College sailing team.
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Source: sailingscuttlebutt.com