Exceptional group of finalists revealed for the 2024 World Sailing Awards

The names include Olympic champions, dominant teams 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, commitment to sustainability in sailing and efforts to modernise the sport at every level. 

Two new awards will make their debut this year with the male and female Young World Sailor of the Year celebrating the rising stars of our sport while the Boat of the Year award has been renamed as the World Sailing Technology Award to recognise the wider work on innovations in sailing. 

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 GMT on Sunday 27 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 presented at a live ceremony on Tuesday 5 November at CHIJMES Hall, Singapore, where the President’s Development Award and Beppe Croce Trophy will also be presented. 

Award Shortlists

Rolex World Sailor of the Year finalists – Male 

• Diego Botin & Florian Trittel (ESP) 
• Peter Burling (NZL) 
• Ruggero Tita (ITA) 
• Matt Wearn (AUS) 

Rolex World Sailor of the Year finalists – Female 

• Odile van Aanholt & Annette Duetz (NED) 
• Marit Bouwmeester (NED) 
• Vuyisile Jaca (RSA) 
• Ellie Aldridge (GBR)

Young World Sailor of the Year – Female 

• Iakovina Kerkezou & Danai Giannouli (GRE) 
• Ewa Lewandowska (POL) 
• Eve McMahon (IRL) 
• Maria Catalina Turienzo (ARG) 

Young World Sailor of the Year – Male 

• Vittorio Bonifacio (ITA) 
• Max Maeder (SGP) 
• Grae Morris (AUS) 
• Magnus Overbeck (DEN) 

World Sailing Technology Award

• Master Sailing jdoo (CRO) 
• Nautical Cloud Ltd (GBR) 
• Northern Lights Composites (ITA)  
• Vakaros (USA) 

11th Hour Racing Sustainability Award 

• The IODA ROPE Program 
• Switzerland SailGP Team (SUI) 
• rrreefs AG (SUI) 
• Winds of Change (CYP) 

Team of the Year

• Odile van Aanholt & Annette Duetz (NED) 
• Diego Botin & Florian Trittel (ESP) 
• Spain SailGP Team (ESP) 
• Ruggero Tita & Caterina Banti (ITA) 
• Team WINGS (SWE)

About the Rolex World Sailor of the Year Awards

World Sailing launched the World Sailor of the Year Awards in 1994 to reward individual sailors for outstanding achievements in the sport. Rolex has been the title sponsor of the awards since 2001, celebrating more than 20 years of excellence in sailing.

For more information and to see the Roll of Honour, please visit the World Sailing website.

About the 11th Hour Racing Sustainability Awards

The 11th Hour Racing Sustainability 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.

For more information and to see the Roll of Honour, please visit the World Sailing website.