Three female and five male sailors have been nominated in their respective categories, with the results announced at the World Sailing Awards ceremony in Bermuda on October 29.

The winners will be decided by 50 per cent votes from World Sailing's Member National Authorities, and 50 per cent public vote, with voting opening on October 22.

Nominated in the women's category are France's Delphine Cousin Questel, the 2018 Professional Windsurfers Association (PWA) World Tour Slalom champion; 2019 Para World Sailing Championship Hansa 303 winner Violeta del Reino of Spain; and Danish sailor Anne-Marie Rindom, the 2019 Laser Radial World and European champion.

The men's PWA World Tour Slalom victor, Antoine Albeau of France, is also nominated, as are Australian duo Mat Belcher and Will Ryan, the 470 World, European and Hempel World Cup Series champions.

Also in the running are Italy's Marco Gradoni, the 2018 and 2019 Optimist World Champion, and Francis Joyon, the French Route du Rhum winner.

The nominee lists for Team of the Year and the Racing Sustainability Award, to be announced on the same night, have also been revealed.

Switzerland's Alinghi, the Australian SailGP Team, Wild Oats XI of Australia and the Wizard team from the United States all feature on the shortlist following their success over the last 12 months.

The Blake Foundation, CNArenal/RCNPalma/CMSAP Can Pastilla/Federacion Balear de Vela, RYA/The Green Blue and SailGP have been nominated for the 2019 Sustainability Award.