World Sailing is very proud to announce the finalists for this year’s male and female Rolex World Sailor of the Year, male and female Kuehne+Nagel Young World Sailor of the Year, 11th Hour Racing Impact Award, and Team of the Year.
The finalists include The America’s Cup winners, multi-time offshore champions, world champions, trailblazers and organisations committed to making a difference to the global sailing community. Each finalist impressed the judging panel with their achievements over the past year.
Voting for all World Sailing Awards opens today and everyone who loves sailing is invited to help decide the winners. Voting closes at 23:00 UTC on Sunday 26 October.
The public vote will make up 50% of the final decisions with 50% contributed by World Sailing’s expert panels.
This year’s awards will be announced at a live ceremony on Wednesday 5 November in Dún Laoghaire, Ireland, where the President’s Development Award, Beppe Croce Trophy and the World Sailing Technology Award will also be presented.
Award Shortlists
Rolex World Sailor of the Year finalists – Male
- Peter Burling (NZL)
- Charlie Dalin (FRA)
- Alexis Loison (FRA)
- Jordi Xammar Hernandez (ESP)
Rolex World Sailor of the Year finalists – Female
- Allison Bell (USA)
- Martine Grael (BRA)
- Justine Mettraux (SUI)
- Jazz Turner (GBR)
Kuenhe+Nagel Young World Sailor of the Year – Female
- Marta Cardona Alcantara (ESP)
- Maddalena Maria Spanu (ITA)
- Antonina Puchowska & Alicja Dampc (POL)
- Tamar Steinberg (ISR)
Kuehne+Nagel Young World Sailor of the Year – Male
- Rory Meehan (AUS)
- Seb Menzies & George Lee Rush (NZL)
- Grae Morris (AUS)
- Nikolaos Pappas (GRE)
- GraceKennedy Foundation & Jamaica Yachting Association: The Great Mangrove Cleanup Trash Tournament
- iQFOiL Class and Starboard: Mangrove planting and offset programme
- Istioploia Genous Thilikou: Women in Sailing with the Hellenic Sailing Federation
- LIFE Recreation reMEDIES Project – Royal Yachting Association: Seagrass restoration and protection project
- Projeto Grael: Watersports as a tool for education and social inclusion in Brazil
- Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL)
- Headcase (IRL)
- Match in Pink by Normandy Elite Team (FRA)
- Yes We Sail (ESP)
About the Rolex World Sailor of the Year Awards
Launched in 1994, the World Sailor of the Year are recognised as the highest award a sailor can receive in recognition of their outstanding achievements by the world of sailing.
The Awards are presented to sailors by sailors. Two Awards, one for a female sailor/crew and one for a male sailor/crew, are presented each year during the World Sailing Annual Conference in November. Sailors selected as nominees for the awards may represent any aspect of the sport.
For more information and to see the Roll of Honour, please visit the World Sailing website.
About the 11th Hour Racing Impact Award
Launched in 2018 as the Sustainability Award, the World Sailing 11th Hour Racing Impact Award was expanded in 2025 to cover positive impact in environmental footprint and social outcomes through sailing, and celebrates significant contributions to sustainability in sailing by individuals and teams.
The 11th Hour Racing Impact Award is the highest recognition of success in marine sustainability. The winners receive an iconic trophy, made from recycled carbon fibre sourced from an America’s Cup boat and infused with bio-resin and a $10,000 USD prize to help further their sustainability activities.
Public voting was introduced in 2020 to engage with the wider international sailing community.
Past winners of the award have all demonstrated a commitment to reducing their environmental impact and raising awareness around conservation.
For more information and to see the Roll of Honour, please visit the World Sailing website.
