Tunnicliffe and Hutchinson Earn US Sailing’s 2008 Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman Honors

US Sailing has named Anna Tunnicliffe and Terry Hutchinson its 2008 Rolex Yachtswoman and Yachtsman of the Year in recognition of their exceptional competitive accomplishments on the water during the 2008 calendar year.

Terry Hutchinson: From America’s Cup to TP52 World Title

Terry Hutchinson of Annapolis, Maryland, was praised by the selection panel for how he “redefined himself,” transitioning from America’s Cup competition into dominant fleet racing. After serving as tactician aboard Emirates Team New Zealand in the 32nd America’s Cup, Hutchinson began the year as tactician on Jim Richardson’s Farr 40, Barking Mad, helping that campaign to wins at Acura Key West and the Acura Miami Grand Prix.

Hutchinson subsequently switched to the TP52 class and took on the role of skipper. In that capacity he recorded a string of major victories in Europe, including triumphs at the Trophy of Sardinia and the Copa del Rey regattas. Those results contributed to his overall success in the Audi MedCup series. He capped the season by steering Quantum Racing to the TP52 world championship in Spain, sealing a standout year in inshore and high-performance keelboat racing.

Anna Tunnicliffe: Olympic Gold and a Breakthrough Year

Anna Tunnicliffe of Plantation, Florida, completed what one panelist described as “an unbelievable year” when she won the Laser Radial gold medal at the 2008 Olympic Games — her first appearance at the Olympics. The achievement capped a season that earned her recognition as a US Sailing Athlete of the Year for 2008.

Reflecting on the honor, the 26-year-old Tunnicliffe said, “I’m very, very excited. It’s a fantastic end to a great year.” During the medal race on the final day in Beijing, she briefly fell to ninth place in the fleet, but correctly anticipated a vital wind shift. That tactical call allowed her to move up to a second-place finish in the race and secure the overall Olympic gold.

Remembering Paralympic Champion Nick Scandone

The sailing community also mourned the loss of Paralympic gold medalist Nick Scandone of Fountain Valley, California, who died after a long battle with ALS. Scandone, 42, won gold at the 2008 Paralympic Sailing Regatta in Qingdao, China, together with teammate Maureen McKinnon-Tucker in the SKUD-18 class.

ALS, often referred to as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative condition that affects motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. Scandone’s determination and accomplishments were an inspiration to many. Dean Brenner, chairman of US Sailing’s Olympic Sailing Program, said the sport had lost “a great competitor and the most inspirational person most of us will ever know.”

After his Paralympic victory Scandone reflected on the long road to the Games: “It’s emotionally overwhelming for me to finally realize my goal.” In a 2006 conversation with Soundings editor William Sisson, Scandone discussed the personal perspective he gained while competing with ALS, noting that the disease “doesn’t affect the mind at all” and emphasizing resilience in the face of adversity.

Upcoming Safety at Sea Symposium

Looking ahead, organizers scheduled the 2009 Marion Bermuda Cruising Yacht Race Safety at Sea Symposium for March 28 at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Sanctioned by US Sailing, the event will cover a range of safety topics relevant to offshore and ocean racing sailors. Capt. John Bonds, U.S. Navy (retired), will moderate. Bonds — a former director of Navy Sailing and former commodore of the Naval Academy Sailing Squadron — will be joined by experienced offshore sailors Howard Lapsley and Capt. Henry Marx.

The symposium registration fee is $115. To register, contact [email protected].

This article originally appeared in the March 2009 issue.