World Sailing has announced the finalists for this year’s male and female Rolex World Sailor of the Year, male and female Young World Sailor of the Year, 11th Hour Racing Impact Award and Team of the Year.
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 here to vote.
Voting closes at 12:00 UTC on Monday 2 November.
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 of Hyderabad (IND)
• 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)
