Britons Ben Ainslie and Iain Percy have been nominated for the 2002 International Sailing Federation World Sailor of the Year award, won last year by Ellen MacArthur.

The criteria for nomination was "outstanding achievement" in the period 1 September 2001 to 31 August 2002.

After winning Olympic gold in Sydney in 2000 in the Laser class - and following an abortive America's Cup campaign with OneWorld - Ainslie switched to the Finn class.

Within six months he became European champion and followed it up with victory at the Finn Gold Cup, the world championships of the class, in July.

Meanwhile, fellow Sydney gold medallist Percy was nominated for winning the Star world title with crew Steve Mitchell, having switched from the Finn.

Other nominations in the male category include American John Kostecki, skipper of the winning Volvo Ocean Race entry Illbruck and Bruno Peyron.

The Frenchman became the fastest skipper to sail non-stop around the world when he smashed the Jules Verne Trophy Record in giant catamaran Orange.

The winners will be announced on 12 November.

Ben Ainslie is part of the BBC's television coverage of the America's Cup on BBC2 every Thursday evening at 2320-0000 from 3 October.