Seb Menzies and George Lee Rush walked out of Royal Akarana Yacht Club with three trophies between them at the 2026 Barfoot & Thompson Yachting Excellence Awards, held on 6 November. Not a bad night's work.
The 49er duo shared the Sir Bernard Fergusson Trophy as Orbit World Travel Sailor of the Year. They also picked up the Barfoot & Thompson Male Sailor of the Year award and one of ten Radix Nutrition Performance Awards.
It capped a season in which the pair established themselves among the most exciting combinations in world sailing. Earlier this year they won the 49er World Championship title in Quiberon, France, fighting back in the final race to deliver New Zealand's first Olympic-class world championship since 2021. They then defended their European title in Germany, making them back-to-back champions there too.
Rebecca Gmuer-Hornell took out the Barfoot & Thompson Female Sailor of the Year award. A sought-after sailor and yacht rigger, she was part of the first all-female crew to complete a non-stop circumnavigation of the globe, sailing aboard IDEC SPORT as part of a multi-national crew that crossed the Jules Verne Trophy finish line off the French island of Ushant after 57 days, 21 hours and 20 minutes at sea.
Yachting New Zealand chief executive Steve Armitage says the pair's achievements speak for themselves.
"George and Seb have claimed their position among the world's leading men's skiff teams this year, standing out against the best internationally. They have a bright future ahead of them, and we're looking forward to seeing how they build on this stellar year."
On Gmuer-Hornell: "Rebecca Gmuer-Hornell's achievements this year have likewise been exceptional. She's forged an impressive career across offshore racing and the technical side of the sport, breaking new ground for women in sailing and highlighting the many pathways our sport offers."
Armitage was keen to stress the night wasn't only about podiums. "For very obvious reasons, we tend to focus on excellence as something that is measured by results: a medal, a podium, a regatta win. Make no mistake, those things matter, and we will always chase them. But excellence takes many forms, and some of the most important ones never appear on a results sheet."
That philosophy carried through the rest of the evening. John and Linda Parrish received the Peter Lester Award for Outstanding Contribution to Sailing, supported by Lawson's Dry Hills, for more than four decades of race management work, officiating at over 120 national regattas, six Olympic Games and more than 30 world championships. Their influence on developing officials, both here and abroad, is considerable.
Jenny Armstrong and Andrew Brown were named B&G Performance Coaches of the Year for their work with the New Zealand 420 crews who won bronze at the 2025 Youth Sailing World Championships. Bella Jenkins and Jess Handley took the NZL Sailing Foundation Young Female Sailor of the Year award after finishing second females overall and first under-19 team at the 2026 29er World Championships.
Toby Wigglesworth claimed the Young Male Sailor of the Year title after winning silver in the boys' kitefoil class at the World Sailing Youth World Championships in Portugal last December.
Blair Park was named Official of the Year for his work across club racing, nationals and major regattas in Auckland. Dean Stanley took the AON Sustainability Award for his role in growing Yachting New Zealand's RŪNĀ school and community programme, which helped establish Worser Bay Boating Club as a pilot site.
Remy Thomassen became the inaugural winner of the Hesketh Henry Inclusive Sailing Award, recognised for 30 years supporting sailing at Evans Bay Yacht and Motorboat Club and volunteering with Sailability, as well as helping develop the Parable class yacht.
Armitage had the last word, and it wasn't about results at all.
"Tonight is about the people who make sailing happen. Not only those who reach the podium, but those who lay the marks, run the start boats, drive the kids to regattas and keep our clubs open. We salute and appreciate you all."
