New Zealand sailors Seb Menzies and George Lee Rush have been named among the five finalists for Team of the Year at this year's World Sailing Awards.
They face stiff competition from Diego Botin and Florian Trittel of Spain, the Luna Rossa Team from Italy, Britain's Martin Wrigley and Bettine Harris, and France's The Famous Project CIC. Winners across all categories will be decided by a 50-50 split between public vote and World Sailing's judging panel. Voting opened today and closes at 12:00 UTC on Monday 2 November.
The Rolex World Sailor of the Year awards, sailing's most prestigious individual honour, are again split into male and female categories. On the women's side, Paula Barcelo and Maria Cantero of Spain feature alongside Italy's Maria Giubilei, France's Lauriane Nolot and American Charlotte Rose.
The men's shortlist pairs round-the-world sailor Thomas Coville of France with Singapore's Max Maeder, Dutch sailor Luuc van Opzeeland and Australia's Matt Wearn.
Young World Sailor of the Year showcases the sport's rising talent. Medea Falcioni (ITA), Vaina Picot (FRA), Catalina Turienzo (ARG) and Tamar Steinberg (ISR) make up the female shortlist, while Manuel Bragança (BRA), Paul Loiseau (FRA), Gian Andrea Stragiotti (SUI) and Federico Pilloni (ITA) contest the men's award.
Sustainability has its own category too. The World Sailing 11th Hour Racing Impact Award, expanded in 2025 to cover both environmental and social impact, has shortlisted The Little Optimist Trust (RSA), Shake-A-Leg Miami (USA), Turning Point Foundation (GER) and The Yacht Club Hyderabad (IND). Winners receive a trophy made from recycled carbon fibre sourced from an America's Cup boat, infused with bio-resin, along with a $10,000 USD prize to help further their sustainability work.
The winners 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. The ceremony takes place at the Qingdao International Conference Center, a venue that has previously hosted the SCO Qingdao summit and events marking the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese PLA navy.
Rolex has been the title sponsor of the World Sailor of the Year awards since 2001, a partnership that continues to anchor sailing's night of nights.
