Three-time America's Cup winner Russell Coutts has won the International Sailing Federation's world sailor of the year award.
The women's award went to Norway's Siren Sundby.
The awards, recognising outstanding sailing achievement during the 12-month period from September last year, were announced at a federation function in Barcelona.
The other New Zealander nominatedfor the award was Sydney-based Neville Crichton, who won the Sydney-to-Hobart race among others during the year.
Coutts became the all-time winning skipper in the America's Cup when he led Swiss entry Alinghi to a whitewash win over Team New Zealand in Auckland this year.
He has won 14 cup races without a loss, adding this year's five wins to the nine he earned with Team New Zealand in the 1995 and 2000 campaigns, surpassing Americans Dennis Conner for total victories and Charlie Barr for most without a loss.
His third consecutive America's Cup victory also ties him with Harold Vanderbilt and Barr.
Alinghi also became the only syndicate to have won the America's Cup on its first attempt.
"It is a great pleasure and an honour for me to be awarded the trophy," Coutts said.
"I would like to extend this victory to all the members of Team Alinghi, who have also earned this award."
Coutts said a new era was starting for the America's Cup.
"The involvement of new companies in our sport, as well as the efforts to make it more attractive and accessible, will take it to a new level."
Sundby, 20, was recognised for her successes in the Europe Class, including this year's world championship in Cadiz.