Iker MARTINEZ and Xabier FERNANDEZ have been dogged by injury over the last 18 months and their attendance at the 2004 Olympic Sailing Competition was uncertain right up to the last minute. This exceptionally talented pair were unable to defend their World Championship title in 2003 due to injury, but reclaimed it at the 2004 49er Worlds in April 2004.

Their performance over the last 12 months has also included wins at ISAF Grade 1 and Grade 2 events and top 12 finishes at all the events they have competed in. The ultimate Olympic prize was secured on the very last day of racing for the open double-handed dinghy event in the 49er in Athens and the Spanish duo did everything they needed to do to secure their gold medal in style.

The Achievments of Iker MARTINEZ and Xabier FERNANDEZ

ISAF World Sailing Ranking at the end of the nomination period (3 August 2004) - 20
Current ISAF World Sailing Ranking (2 September 2004) - 13
1st - Olympic Sailing Competition, Grade W - August 2004
8th - Kieler Woche, Grade 1 - June 2004
1st - SPA Regatta, Grade 1 - May 2004
1st - 49er World Championship, Grade W - April 2004
12th - Athens Eurolymp Week, Grade 2 - February 2004
1st - Sydney International Regatta, Grade 2, December 2003

Name	Iker MARTINEZ	Xabier FERNANDEZ
Date of Birth	28292	28052
Place of Birth	San Sebastian, Spain	Ibarra, Spain
Profession	Sailor	Sailor
ISAF Sailor ID	ESPMM8	ESPXF1
Age started sailing	7	7
First boat sailed	Optimist	Optimist
Age started racing	10	8
First boat raced	Optimist	Optimist
What inspired you to take up sailing?	My family	Family
How did you buy your first boat?	It was my birthday present	Family
Which was your first sailing club?	Club Nautico Hondarribia, Spain	Club Vela Navarra, Spain
First Event competed in and Year	Optimist 1989	Local race in San Sebastian, 1984
First Event won and Year	Optimist 1989	Optimist race in Navarra 1984
Principle achievements
Detail the personal highlights of your sailing career to date		1992 Junior World Champion - Vaurien
Detail the personal highlights of your sailing career to date		1992 National Champion - Vaurien
Detail the personal highlights of your sailing career to date		49er World Champion - 2002, 2004
Detail the personal highlights of your sailing career to date		2nd 49er World Championship - 2001
Detail the personal highlights of your sailing career to date		49er European Champion - 2002
Detail the personal highlights of your sailing career to date		5 medals in the last 5 49er European Championships
Detail the personal highlights of your sailing career to date		1st - Barcelona Olympic Week 2001-2002, Princess Sofia 2001-2002, Semaine Olympique Francaise 2002-2004, Sydney International Regatta 2003, Scandinavian Championship 2001
Detail the personal highlights of your sailing career to date		Nominee for the ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Awards 2002
What are your future sailing aspirations?		Volvo Ocean Race 20045
What are your future sailing aspirations?		49er Olympic Campaign for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing
Briefly state what sailing means to you		Actually, sailing means nearly everything to me - sport, occupation, dedication, superation and a big challenge for the future.
Who has had the greatest impact or inspiration in your sailing career and why?		Our 49er Coach, Alejandro ABASCAL. He touched us sailing like professionals, developing and improving everday in the water.
Who do you consider to be your sailing hero?		Not heroes - just a lot of good sailors
What other sports do you participate in outside of sailing?		Cycling and treking
Who do you consider to be the greatest sailor in the World and why?		Torben GRAEL - 5 Olympic medals and America's Cup - A lot of years on the edge
Who do you consider to be the greatest sailor in the World and why?		Paul CAYARD - America's Cup, Volvo Ocean Race, Olympic sailing in the Star - always on board
Who do you consider to be the greatest sailor in the World and why?
Briefly state what being nominated for the ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Award 2004 means to you		The most important award any sailor can get in their sailing career. It means that all the work done in the last seven years has been very well done. Very big satisfaction and I'm very proud.
If voted as the ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year 2004, briefly say what will this mean to you?		All, and opportunities for developing sailing more and more.