Rolex Watch U.S.A., a company who has supported thousands of sailors through hundreds of sailing events over the last 45 years, was awarded SAIL Magazine's Industry Award for Leadership at a sailing industry reception during Atlantic Sail Expo in Atlantic City, NJ. "For giving back to the sport, for guiding thousands of sailors, for leading us all in a good direction, we honor Rolex Watch U.S.A.," said Josh Adams, SAIL's Deputy Editor, who presented the award. Bill Sandberg of Rolex U.S.A., accepted the award on behalf of the teams of people at Rolex over the years who have given generously to support sailing and racing programs and events worldwide.

In a departure from previous years, SAIL chose to honor a company and the people behind it rather than one individual because Rolex is unique in its commitment to sailing. "Rolex Watch USA has been involved in the sailing community since 1958, when the watches were first seen on the wrists of America's Cup sailors. Since then Rolex has made its mark as a dedicated supporter of sailing events," said Adams. The company has consistently endeavored to recognize and encourage excellence in every important arena of competitive sailing, including Olympic Games preparation, US Sailing championships, disabled sailing, and offshore, one-design, and women's events the world over.

Perhaps most notable for their sponsorship of US Sailing's annual award for the top male and female racers, Rolex started its sponsorship of the Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the year in 1980. The Canadian Yachting Association also names a Rolex Sailor of the Year, while on the world stage the prestigious ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Awards are most coveted.

"Rolex's encouragement of excellence in competitive sailing has included their support of junior sailing in the U.S., sponsorship of the US Sailing Team for 20 years and running, and sponsorship of the prestigious Rolex International Women's Keelboat Championship, which over the years has hosted nearly 300 teams from 17 countries." It has helped alter the course of women's sailing and is universally recognized as the pinnacle of competitive keelboat racing for women.

From 1989 through 1996 Rolex created a platform for identifying young, talented sailors and helping them hone their skills to become the best in their sport through their support of US Sailing's Junior Sailing Program. A Rolex Junior Sailing Team was named annually, identifying those youths with the most potential as Olympic stars and champions of the future. There is also an annual series of ten prestigious Rolex-sponsored US Sailing Adult Championships providing unparalleled competition in identically matched boats. Rolex's sponsorship since 1997 has provided grants to host clubs for the purpose of improving competition and subsidizing Rolex clinics.

Rolex began sponsoring the US Sailing Team prior to the '84 Olympic Games, and in 1998 became a sponsor of the US Disabled Sailing Team. In 2002 it became title sponsor for the Miami Olympic Classes Regatta (now the Rolex Miami OCR), which over 13 years has attracted an annual average of 350 sailors representing 25 countries.

Rolex is also the sponsor of numerous top-flight racing events worldwide. These include the Rolex Sydney Hobart Race, the Rolex Fastnet Race, the Giraglia Rolex Cup, the Rolex Middle Sea Race, Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, Rolex IMS Worlds, the Rolex Farr 40 Worlds and the Rolex Commodore's Cup featuring the very best in yacht design and sailing talent. The International Rolex Regatta hosted by the St. Thomas Yacht Club for 30 years has become a spring season racing tradition for local sailing stars as well as hundreds of U.S. racers and European big-boat sailors.

Also since 1994, the sport of sailing has benefited from Rolex's exclusive sponsorship relationship with the New York Yacht Club. It has resulted in exciting new opportunities for yachtsmen. The Rolex Transatlantic Challenge (since 1997), a revival of the historic 1905 race, that set the transatlantic race record, which still stands today, is one example. The Biennial Race Week at Newport, presented by Rolex since 1998, that provides sailors with a rare opportunity to compete in IMS or PHRF fleet racing for the first half of the event and one-design class racing during the second half, is another example.

SAIL Magazine's Industry Award for Leadership was created ten years ago in order to recognize the leaders who have truly shaped the course of the sailing industry for success and growth. SAIL has recognized Everett Pearson (of TPI), the driving force behind the Sail Expo concept, entrepreneurs such as Frank Butler of Catalina Yachts, The Johnstone Family of J Boats, and West Marine's Randy Repass. "Their mastery of craft and business savvy have helped introduce thousands to sailing and inspired thousands more to stick with it,"Adams explained. "Other recipients included the thinkers in our sport, whose ideas make sailing easy and fun - brothers Peter and Olaf Harken of Harken Yacht Equipment, Warren Luhrs of Hunter Marine/Luhrs Marine Group, and designer/inventor Garry Hoyt. And we've honored the hard workers like Steve and Doris Colgate of Offshore Sailing School and Dave Stanton of American Sail, who get large numbers of new sailors started in small boats," according to Adams.