The 2024 World Sailing Awards celebrated the elite of the sailing world, recognizing extraordinary achievements by athletes who have dominated their fields with unmatched dedication, skill, and resilience. Among this year’s honorees, Italian duo Ruggero Tita and Caterina Banti claimed the coveted Team of the Year award, while Spain’s Diego Botín and Florian Trittel earned the prestigious Rolex World Sailor of the Year title for their exceptional season.
Ruggero Tita & Caterina Banti: Unstoppable Italian Duo Named Team of the Year
Ruggero Tita and Caterina Banti have solidified their legacy in sailing, winning the Team of the Year award after an extraordinary run that has left the sailing community in awe. Known for their synchronized skill and tactical prowess, the Italian team has claimed an impressive two Olympic gold medals in the Nacra 17 class and achieved a streak of four consecutive World Championship titles.
Their latest Olympic victory in 2024 further highlighted their dominance in the sport, adding to a string of titles that underline their position as the team to beat. Tita and Banti’s chemistry on the water has been instrumental in their achievements, with each member bringing unique strengths that combine to create a powerful synergy. Their deep understanding of wind, water, and each other has allowed them to reach peak performance consistently, setting a new benchmark in mixed-gender sailing.
Right after the award ceremony ended Caterina said: “Ruggero and I are incredibly honored and thrilled to receive this recognition. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has supported us throughout our journey—our sponsors, the federation, our clubs, our friends, our coach Ganga, and our amazing team. We truly hope that in the future, World Sailing will continue to promote mixed-gender teams, not just for us, but to inspire young sailors and send a powerful message about inclusivity in our sport.”
Diego Botín & Florian Trittel: Olympic Gold and SailGP Glory Earn Rolex World Sailor of the Year Award
Spain’s Diego Botín and Florian Trittel captured the spotlight with their phenomenal performance this season, earning the Rolex World Sailor of the Year award for their impressive accomplishments. The duo secured the Olympic gold in the 49er class, a hard-fought victory that saw them triumph over seasoned competitors on sailing’s most celebrated stage. Their Olympic success was accompanied a few week earlier by the SailGP Season 4 Championship victory of their team, making history as the first Spanish team to win the global series.
Botín and Trittel’s tactical brilliance, adaptability, and sheer speed have been a defining feature of their sailing careers. In SailGP, the team showcased not only their technical mastery but also an ability to respond strategically to the fast-paced, high-stakes nature of the championship series. The consistency of their performances, coupled with a commitment to innovation and teamwork, made them deserving winners of the Rolex award, which celebrates individual excellence at the highest level of the sport.
A Golden Year for Sailing’s Finest
The 2024 World Sailing Awards have underscored a year of remarkable achievements, with Tita, Banti, Botín, and Trittel standing out as symbols of excellence and dedication. Both teams have not only set new standards within their categories but have also become inspiring figures in the sailing world, motivating the next generation of sailors to aim high.
Their wins at the World Sailing Awards celebrate not just their individual and team achievements, but also their impact on the global stage, where they have showcased the power of teamwork, resilience, and a relentless pursuit of perfection.
Odile van Aanholt & Annette Duetz: Olympic Gold Medalists Miss Out on Awards Amid Fierce Competition
The World Sailing Awards also recognized the exceptional performances of Dutch sailors Odile van Aanholt and Annette Duetz, who were nominated in both the Rolex World Sailor of the Year (Female) and Team of the Year categories. Although they did not take home an award, their accomplishments this year speak volumes about their impact on the sport. Winning Olympic gold in the 49erFX class, securing a World Championship title, and competing in the inaugural Women’s America’s Cup, the duo has demonstrated versatility, strength, and determination.
Their absence at the awards ceremony was felt, as they were unwinding in the Caribbean on the island of Curaçao, Odile’s hometown, to celebrate and recharge after an intense season. Their incredible year serves as a testament to the level of competition in the sailing world, where even Olympic and World Championship titles are not always enough to secure an award. This year’s results are a reminder of just how high the bar has been set, with sailors pushing boundaries and raising standards across all competitions.
Van Aanholt and Duetz remain standout figures in the sport, and while the awards may have gone elsewhere this year, their remarkable achievements will continue to inspire the sailing community.
