BRISTOL, R.I. (January 11, 2023) – Congratulations to U.S. Melges 24 Class Member and International Class Chairwoman Laura Grondin on being named a finalist for 2022 Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year.

Three men and three women have been chosen as finalists for US Sailing’s 2022 Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year Awards. The annual rundown of the year’s “best in the U.S.” represents a wide range of accomplished sailors from various disciplines and at different stages of their respective careers. Yachtsman and Yachtswoman finalists earned their spot on this exclusive list by dominating their respective classes and showing true variety in their sailing accomplishments. All six of these sailors represent their own unique pathway to the sport, having demonstrated on-the-water excellence at international and national events bringing global recognition to sailing in while representing the United States. 

Some of these sailors were selected based on their consistent exceptional performances throughout the 2022 season and some were chosen for their signature win(s) at major international or national events.  

Finalists for US Sailing’s 2022 Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year award (in alphabetical order by first name): 

• Daniela Moroz – A three-time winner of the Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year award, Moroz is back on the shortlist again and looking for her 4th Rolex. In 2022, Moroz won gold at the Princesa Sofia Olympic regatta and captured her 6th Kite Foil World Championship title. Moroz also placed first at the French Olympic Week Regatta, held at the 2024 Olympic venue.  

• Laura Grondin – Grondin’s success as a skipper in the J/70 class earned her a spot as one of this year’s finalists. Grondin helmed her way to first place at the J/70 East Coast Championships and Davis Island J/70 Regatta, as well as the top female helm at the J/70 European Championship. Grondin also had success in the Melges 24 class, placing fourth at the Melges 24 World Championship.  

• Sara Stone – Breaking into the predominantly male world of offshore sailing, Sara Stone is in the running for her first Rolex. Stone took first place in the inaugural Bermuda to Newport Doublehanded event as the only all-female entry and won the Ida Lewis Distance Race with co-skipper with Ken Read. Stone also took line honors in the youth division of the Newport to Bermuda Race, breaking the youth race record as a coach with the MudRatz youth team on board ‘Spitfire.’  

Finalists for US Sailing’s 2022 Rolex Yachtsman of the Year award (in alphabetical order by first name): 

• David Starck – In 2022, David Starck brought years of Lightning and One Design experience to the table winning several important Lightning Class regattas, nationally and internationally. Starck was the 2022 Lightning World Champion, Lighting North American Champion and Lightning Helly Hanson Sailing World Series Champion. He was also winner of the Overall Lightning Southern Circuit and Lightning Winter Championship. This would be Starck’s first Rolex. 

• Doug DeVos – A well-known name in the TP52 class and sailing community at large, Doug DeVos was the overall winner of the 2022 TP52 Superseries as the skipper of Quantum Racing. DeVos and team took first place in all four of the series events, including the World Championship, Baiona Sailing Week, Royal Cup Scarlino, and Barcelona Sailing Week.  

• Ravi Parent – The youngest man on the list of finalists, Ravi Parent has wasted no time setting records and winning titles across classes. In 2022, Parent became the first sailor to win the A Class Worlds, F18 European Championships, and F18 World Championship in the same year. Adding to that success, Parent won the A Cat Midwinters Championship and the A Class division at the Helly Hansen Sailing World Series. This would be Parent’s first Rolex. 

The 2022 US Sailing Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year Award winners will be announced and presented with specially engraved Rolex timepieces at a special presentation at Sailing Leadership Forum in St. Pete Beach February 2. The event will be held in conjunction with the US Sailing Association Awards at the TradeWinds Grand Resort.