The ISAF Rolex Sailor of the Year Award is regarded as the highest accolade in sailing. To make it to the nominations of this prestigious award is not short of an achievement for any sailor. Even though the award was won by Anna Tunnicliffe this year, the longest standing ovation was given to Hilary Lister at the ceremony for her achievements and contributions to the world of sailing. Hilary Lister is an inspiration for physically challenged individuals around the world. Her determination shows through each time she is on the waters. She is a quadriplegic sailor and suffers from a progressive condition known as reflex sympathetic dystrophy. She controls the ship by blowing and sucking tubes in order to steer and control sails.
The award night was honored by the presence of HRH Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark who handed over the silver and marble trophies along with the Rolex timepieces to the winners. The ceremony was held at The Busan Yacht Club in Haeundae-gu in Korea. Hilary Lister is the ambassador of Team Pindar along with Anna Tunnicliffe. Hilary Lister was nominated due to her brave ‘Round Britain’ voyage. She stated that her life found new meaning ever since she was introduced to sailing in 2003. She lost the use of her legs between 1991 and 1995 and later lost the use of her arms in 1999. Despite her condition Hilary Lister became the first quadriplegic sailor to sail solo across the English Channel in 6 hours and 13 minutes on August 23rd of 2005. She was honored with the Sunday Times Helen Rollason Award for inspiration in 2007. Ever since her record breaking challenge she has been an ambassador for Team Pindar.
In the most courageous attempt of her sailing career, Hilary Lister began her journey around Britain in June 2008, where she raised funds and awareness for disabled sailing. She sailed in a specially adapted Artemis 20 that enabled her to control the steering as well as sails by a ‘sip and puff’ system of tubes. The journey comprised of over 40 days of daytime sailing. She ended her journey on 31st of August 2009 at Dover in Kent. Her remarkable achievement was not only appreciated with a nomination but was also personally mentioned by the Chairman of the Pindar Group, Andrew Pindar. He was all praise for her determination and was very proud of the fact that both the ambassadors of Team Pindar were nominated. He further added that both the ladies were a true inspiration and continued to amaze people with their achievements. Hilary Lister has been honored and recognized by various awards like the Cosmopolitan Superhero Award for the Cosmopolitan Fun & Fearless Women, the Breast Cancer Breakthrough Aspirational non-celebrity award in 2009 and the Vitalize ‘Woman of Achievement’
About Melrose Jewelers
Melrose Jewelers is the nation’s leading online retailer of Rolex wrist watches including mens watches and ladies luxury watches and its associates have, collectively, over 220 years of experience in importing, restoring, and retailing Rolex and other luxury watches. Melrose Jewelers was founded with one simple premise: Buying a Rolex or other luxury watch shouldn’t be mysterious or complicated.
Melrose Jewelers also hosts the Melrose Jewelers (MJ) Rolex Watch Blog. The MJ Rolex Watch Blog is the world’s largest independent forum website about Rolex events and Rolex and other luxury watches in pop culture. With over 300 user-posted articles and new articles and commentary updated daily, the Melrose Jewelers Rolex watch blog contains articles about Rolex watches owned by Danica Patrick, Matthew McConaughey, Eva Longoria Parker, Tobey Maguire, Lindsey Lohan, Eddie Murphy, Tom Selleck, Jennifer Garner, Donald Trump, Eva Longoria, Skepta, Jennifer Lopez, Lance Armstrong, John Mayer, Cameron Diaz, Justin Timberlake, Brad Pitt, Drew Barrymore, DJ Am, Tim Tebow, Colt McCoy, Jay-Z, Zara Phillips, Barack Obama, O.J. Simpson, Madonna, Ana Ivanovic, Jennifer Aniston, Tokio Hotel, Paris Hilton, Orlando Bloom, Tupac Shakur, Lily Allen, & Wiley. Blog postings on the MJ Rolex Watch Blog are submitted by independent Rolex enthusiasts and not by Melrose Jewelers.
