Posted by Mark on 12th January 2006

2005 Rolex Yachtsman of the Year

Team Eagle would like to congratulate fellow disabled sailor, Nick Scandone, for his achievements this past year. US Sailing chose Nick as the recipient for the 2005 Rolex Yachtsman of the Year.

Nominated for the first time, US SAILING's 2005 Rolex Yachtsman of the Year Nick Scandone was recognized for his win of the 2.4 Metre World Championship in Italy. His remarkable performance in the 88-boat fleet included besting seven world champions as well as three Paralympic medalists who were among the 34 disabled competitors going head-to-head with the class's best able-bodied sailors from around the world. Scandone chalked up two first-place finishes in the eight-race series to edge out his closest competitor -- an able-bodied sailor and the class' three-time world champion -- by 10 points for the championship crown. Only two other disabled sailors finished in the top 10 at the event. Additionally, Scandone successfully defended his U.S. Independence Cup/North American Challenge Cup title and won the America's Disabled/Open Regatta. At the 33-boat IFDS Disabled Sailing World Championship in Denmark, Scandone won the final two races of the nine-race series to finish sixth overall in the 2.4 Metre fleet.

Congratulations Nick, you've earned it!