Anna Tunnicliffe and Bora Gulari have been named the Rolex Yachtswoman and Yachtsman of the Year respectively.

The announcement made this week sees Tunnicliffe named as the top woman for the second year running.

She was the gold medal winner in the Laser Radial at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and she is also the first woman in 27 years to win back-to-back awards and only the fourth woman to accomplish that feat in the award's 48-year history.

Gulari, of Detroit, winner of the 2009 CST Composites International Moth World Championship.

"It's truly amazing to win this award again," Tunnicliffe said. "I feel honoured, lucky and fortunate to win. Being nominated is an achievement; winning is amazing!"

Tunnicliffe, 27, was named the International Sailing Federation's female ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year in November for her achievements during the qualifying period of September 2008-August 2009. Those achievements included winning the Laser Radial Women's North American Championship as well as fleet racing and match racing victories, including the Rolex International Women's Keelboat Championship.

Gulari said of winning the award: "It's absolutely overwhelming."