The World Open Water Swimming Association announced its 15 nominees for the 2012
World Open Water Swimming Man of the Year.
The World Open Water Swimming Woman of the Year is meant to honor the individual who (1) best embodies the spirit of open water swimming, (2) possesses the sense of adventure, tenacity and perseverance that open water swimmers are known for, and (3) has most positively influenced the world of open water swimming during the year.
The nominations are meant to recognize and honor some of the best that the global open water swimming world offers. Reducing the number of nominees to 15 was extraordinarily difficult due to the incredible efforts and exploits of thousands of women in the sport. Extreme swimmers, disabled swimmers, ice swimmers, marathon swimmers, professional swimmers, and swimmers from all walks of life thoroughly impressed their peers, the public and the media with their open water swimming exploits throughout 2013.
The 2008 recipient was Edith van Dijk of the Netherlands. The 2009 recipient was Poliana Okimoto of Brazil. The 2010 recipient was Anne Marie Ward of the Ireland. The 2011 recipient was Pilar Geijo of Argentina.
The 2012 nominees are (listed in alphabetical order of their first name):
1. Ana Marcela Cunha (Brazil), World Professional Marathon Champion
2. Anna-Carin Nordin (Sweden), Oceans Seven Swimmer
3. Annaleise Carr (Canada), Young Marathon Swimmer
4. Catherine Vogt (USA), Dual Olympic Coach
5. Diana Nyad (USA), Xtreme Dreamer
6. Esther Nuñez Morera (Spain), Professional Marathon Swimming Champion
7. Grace van der Byl (USA), Marathon Record Breaker
8. Janel Jorgensen McArdle (USA), Swim Across America President
9. Julia Washbourne (Hong Kong), Eco-Swimming Aquapreneur
10. Karen Gaffney (USA), Swimming Philanthropist
11. Keri-Anne Payne (Great Britain), British Open Water Icon
12. Pat Gallant-Charette (USA), Channel Swimming Late Bloomer
13. Risztov Éva (Hungary), Olympic Champion
14. Shelley Taylor-Smith (Australia), Pioneering Administrator
15. Tina Neill (USA), San Clemente Channel Swimmer
Online voting will take place here at WOWSA between November 1st and December 31st.
Photo by Skip Storch above shows Anne Marie Ward receiving her honor at the United Nations in 2011.
Copyright © 2012 by World Open Water Swimming Association