Laura Grondin and Paul Cayard have been named Rolex Yachtswomen and Yachtsman of the Year for their accomplishments in competitive sailing during the 2025 season.
“The Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year Awards represent the very highest standard of excellence in our sport,” said US Sailing CEO Charlie Enright. “Having been fortunate enough to receive this honor myself, I know how meaningful it is—not just as recognition of results, but as acknowledgment of the dedication, teamwork, and resilience required to succeed at the highest level of sailing. This year’s winners truly exemplify what makes American sailing world-class.”
US Sailing celebrated them and the other award finalists this week at the New York Yacht Club Champions Dinner and US Sailing Awards in New York City. The other finalists included Alli Bell, Pearl Lattanzi, Justin Callahan, and Taylor Canfield.
US Sailing shared the following about the 2025 award recipients:
Laura Grondin
Laura Grondin proved herself a formidable competitor in the world of sport keelboats in 2025 with her team Dark Energy. Grondin made history as the first female helm to win the J/70 World Championship this past year, with the title coming down to the last moments of the final race. Grondin also finished second at the Melges 24 World Championship, overcoming a collision and two DNFs early in the regatta. This is her first Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year win, although she was named a nominee in 2021 and 2022.
Outside her accomplishments in 2025 for which she was awarded the Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year, Grondin has had prior success in the J/70 fleet, finishing third at the World Championship in 2021 and 2023. She is a former International Melges 24 Class Chair and is one of the class’s most accomplished female owner-drivers, consistently demonstrating competitive excellence and leadership both on and off the water.
Paul Cayard
A seasoned veteran on the racing scene, Paul Cayard has no shortage of titles to his name. His mainstay has been the Star Class, where in 2025 he won the World Championship, triumphing over a fleet of 100-plus boats. This championship win is Cayard’s second Star World title – 37 years after his first World’s win in 1988. He also placed third at the Star North American Championship. Outside of Star sailing, Cayard is an accomplished tactician, winning the Voiles des St. Tropez on Twin Soul B. This will be his second Rolex, following his win in 1998.
Outside his accomplishments in 2025 for which he was awarded the Rolex Yachtsman of the Year, Cayard is one of the most experienced American sailors to date. He has competed in the Olympics, America’s Cup, and Whitbread Round the World Race (now The Ocean Race), winning the Louis Vuitton Cup aboard the Italian Il Moro de Venezia in 1992 and Whitbread aboard EF Language in 1998. He competed in the 2004 Olympics in the Star Class for the United States, placing fifth overall. Since then, Cayard has been involved in the management side of the sport, serving as the Director of America One Racing and President of the International Star Class.
