We are the Champions! Here are who are all the winners of the TAG Heuer 2021 Sailor of the Year - Epic 30th Edition

Dfter your 120,000 online votes (never so many to TAG Heuer’s Sailor of the Year), we expected that the Evening of Champions, in which the Sailing Newspaper jury would unveil all the 2021 winners, would also be epic. Just like the 30th edition of the most prestigious prize in Italian sailing, awarded by the Giornale della Vela since 1991. And so it was.

Relive the excitement of the TAG Heuer 2021 Sailor of the Year Evening of Champions – Epic 30th Edition!

 

ALL SAILOR OF THE YEAR AWARDEES
TAG HEUER 2021 – EPIC 30TH EDITION
(AND WHY THEY WON)

TAG Heuer Sailor of the Year 2021 – Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team

For the first time in the history of the Sailor of the Year, the most prestigious award in Italian sailing, given to those who have been able to excite us the most during the season, was won by a team. Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, represented by president Patrizio Bertelli, team manager Max Sirena, coxswain Checco Bruni and tactician clubman Pietro Sibello (but the team consisted of more than 120 people). Luna Rossa’s America’s Cup adventure finally brought sailing back into the homes of Italians, and the 7-3 defeat in the final to the New Zealanders still represents the best result in history for Italy at the world’s oldest sporting competition. A very well-deserved award!

Here is the video interview with Patrizio Bertelli and Marco Tronchetti Provera
Here is the video interview with Checco Bruni and Pietro Sibello

The Sailor of the Year Epic 30th Edition – Paul Cayard

In this particular edition of the Sailor of the Year, there was a special award, “Epic,” reserved for the most significant of the strongest sailors of the past 30 years in Italy. In the end, a non-Italian won, although he “paisà” really feels and has done everything to become one. Paul Cayard. Incredible is the affection still shown to him by the public, 29 years after the adventure of Raul Gardini’s Moro di Venezia, which saw him, at the helm, star in the America’s Cup final. A reciprocated affection: in the many interviews he has given us in the last period, the memory of Italy is indelible in the head of Cayard, who even has a daughter born in Italy, Alessandra. For us he will always remain “Pauline”!

Video interview with Paul Cayard here

TAG Heuer #don’tcrackunderpressure award – Giancarlo Pedote

We had no doubt about the winner of the TAG Heuer #don’tcrackunderpressure award, for those who proved they never give up. Giancarlo Pedote, who finished the Vendée Globe, a non-stop solo round-the-world race, in 8th place, the best Italian ever.

Here is the video interview with Giancarlo Pedote

TAG Heuer Performance Award – Andrea “Prince” Baldini

The TAG Heuer Performance award, reserved for those who have made the pursuit of performance their way of life, could only go to Andrea “Prince” Baldini. The man who flies his windsurfer over 40 knots and created the Prince of Speed event where hundreds of world water speed records have been broken.

Here is the video interview with “Prince” Baldini

TAG Heuer Innovation Award – Luca Bassani

If today on your cruising boat from the helm you can adjust the sails, you owe it to this man. Luca Bassani has reinvented sailing for the past 30 years with his Wallys, making it easy. The TAG Heuer Innovation award, reserved for those who have made a special contribution in the world of design, could only go to him.

Here is the video interview with Luca Bassani

TAG Heuer Young Award – Rebecca Geiger

The TAG Heuer Young award, for a young talent in Italian competitive sailing, was won by Rebecca Geiger of Trieste, 14 years old and grit to spare. She won the Women’s Optimist European Championship last year and has a bright future ahead of her.

Here is the video interview with Rebecca Geiger

TAG Heuer Passion Award – Marta Magnano

Is it not pure passion for sailing to give up the land life and move to live aboard a Grand Soleil 34, at only 28 years old? Marta Magnano, who is now 30 years old, just like The Sailor of the Year, is the winner of the TAG Heuer Passion award, dedicated to those who have managed to turn their passion for sailing into a lifestyle.

Here is the video interview with Marta Magnano

TAG Heuer Most Voted Award – Simone Camba

With 13,418 total votes on our website, he was the candidate who received the most votes in the history of TAG Heuer Sailor of the Year. Simone Camba is the TAG Heuer Most Voted. A great certificate of appreciation from the public for what the sailor does for social inclusion with his association “Newsardinia Sail.”

Here is the video interview with Simone Camba

An iconic watch for iconic sailors

All award recipients at the Evening of Champions received a valuable TAG Heuer Aquaracer chronograph, which got a redesign this year that made it even more unique. It can withstand depths of up to 300 meters, is virtually indestructible and is a faithful companion on every sailor’s wrist. www.tagheuer.com

HOW TO REVIEW ALL THE EPISODES
OF THE TAG HEUER SAILOR OF THE YEAR 2021 – EPIC 30TH EDITION

All episodes of the TAG Heuer 2021 Sailor of the Year – Epic 30th Edition and the Evening of Champions can be reviewed, whenever you want, on the Giornale della Vela Youtube channel, on our Facebook page, on GdV’s Instagram TV and in theevents area of Milano Yachting Week.

See you at the 31st TAG Heuer Sailor of the Year!