Caterina Banti and Ruggero Tita stated:

“We are very happy to receive this award, it is disappointing which this year will be not possible to collect what represents the world sailing highest recognition in person. We would like to thank you each stakeholder which allowed us to reach this goal and moreover our fan who have voted from home. In the 2018 already we get close to win this price but unfortunatly we handn't made it. This sarisfaction however doesn't move our goals, we remain grounded because this is just the beginning. The aim is and remain the Olympics in Paris 2022. This is a step which encourage us to work harder and raise the bar every day, step by step in order to arrive in Marseille with a chance to win a medal. It will be beautiful, and we suggest an idea to world sailing, to have the possibility to address this award to mixed crew also and not just to a male or female category. For us is a common point of view which bonds us with the belief it should to be stated by everyone, moreover in a such important prize."