2026 World Sailing Awards finalists revealed

The finalists feature an exceptional selection of world champions, round-the-world record holders, rising stars, pioneers 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.

This year’s awards will be announced at a live ceremony on Wednesday 18 November 2026 in Qingdao, China, where the President’s Development Award and Beppe Croce Trophy will also be presented.

Voting opens today and everyone who loves sailing is invited to help decide the winners. The public vote will make up 50% of the final decisions with 50% contributed by World Sailing’s expert panel of judges.

Sign up or login with your email to vote.

Voting closes at 12:00 UTC on Monday 2 November.

Cast your vote now 

Award Shortlists

Rolex World Sailor of the Year finalists – Female

• Paula Barcelo and Maria Cantero (ESP)
• Maria Giubilei (ITA)
• Lauriane Nolot (FRA)
• Charlotte Rose (USA)

Rolex World Sailor of the Year finalists – Male

• Thomas Coville (FRA)
• Max Maeder (SGP)
• Luuc van Opzeeland (NED)
• Matt Wearn (AUS)

Young World Sailor of the Year – Female

• Medea Falcioni (ITA)
• Vaina Picot (FRA)
• Catalina Turienzo (ARG)
• Tamar Steinberg (ISR)

Young World Sailor of the Year – Male

• Manuel Bragança (BRA)
• Paul Loiseau (FRA)
• Gian Andrea Stragiotti (SUI)
• Federico Pilloni (ITA)

World Sailing 11th Hour Racing Impact Award

• The Little Optimist Trust (RSA)
• Shake-A-Leg Miami (USA)
• Turning Point Foundation (GER)
• The Yacht Club Hyderabad (IND)

Team of the Year

• Diego Botin and Florian Trittel (ESP)
• Luna Rossa Team (ITA)
• Martin Wrigley and Bettine Harris (GBR)
• Seb Menzies and George Lee Rush (NZL)
• The Famous Project CIC (FRA)

 

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.

Qingdao International Conference Center

Established in 2018, the Qingdao International Conference Center, which is managed and operated by Olympic Sailing Branch, is a comprehensive conference complex integrating conference, catering, exhibition, and visit. It has successively undertaken major events such as SCO Qingdao summit, and the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese PLA navy.

Currently, it has 27 conference rooms with different specifications and multiple functions, covering a total area of over 8,000 square meters; the largest among which is Shanghe Hall, which is 1,650 square meters, accommodating 1,400 people.

There is a sea view corridor outside Shanghe Hall, which is the best place to enjoy the sea view of Olympic Sailing Center and the light show of Fushan Bay.

About Rolex

Rolex celebrates human achievement, recognising the journey marked by milestones and emotions that culminates in defining moments – determined by a path followed, not just a trophy.

Since the late 1950s, Rolex has championed perseverance and resilience in yachting across all its forms – from prestigious yacht clubs to pioneering feats of exploration, legendary offshore races and its most successful sailors. Today, the Swiss watchmaker supports the innovative future of sailing through its Title Partnership of the Rolex SailGP Championship, the world’s leading sailing league where the best athletes compete on identical supercharged foiling F50 catamarans on some of the world’s most famous stretches of water.

Furthermore, the brand is Title Sponsor of 15 major international events, from the annual Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race and the biennial Rolex Fastnet Race to grand prix competition at the Rolex TP52 World Championship and spectacular gatherings at the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup and the Rolex Swan Cup. Rolex also partners institutions that share its enduring commitment to sailing, including the New York Yacht Club, Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, Royal Yacht Squadron, Royal Ocean Racing Club, Cruising Yacht Club of Australia and Royal Malta Yacht Club.

Integral to this relationship are the towering figures in the sport and Rolex honours their unrelenting determination in the pursuit of excellence. From groundbreaking round-the-world yachtsman Sir Francis Chichester to modern-day sailors, Rolex celebrates the individuals who embody adaptability, teamwork and precision. The Rolex family of Testimonees includes legends Paul Cayard and Robert Scheidt, the most successful Olympic sailor of all time, Sir Ben Ainslie, and the heroes at the heart of the Rolex SailGP Championship, Hannah Mills, Tom Slingsby and Martine Grael.