Sailing’s highest honour
Launched in 1994, the Rolex World Sailor of the Year is the sport’s most prestigious individual award. It recognises sailors who have reached the very peak of performance, from Olympic classes to ocean racing and innovation at sea.
The 2025 ceremony will take place on 5 November 2025 in Ireland during the World Sailing Annual Conference, bringing together athletes, designers, officials and partners for an evening celebrating excellence on and off the water.
Winners receive a Rolex timepiece and join a roll of honour that reads like a who’s-who of the sailing world — from Peter Blake and Ben Ainslie to Marit Bouwmeester and Hannah Mills.
The male finalists
Peter Burling (NZL)
Fresh from skippering Emirates Team New Zealand to a 7-2 victory over INEOS Britannia in the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup, Burling now holds the record for the most America’s Cup race wins (22).
He also claimed line honours in the 2025 Rolex Fastnet Race aboard the Ultim trimaran SVR-Lazartigue, and continues to helm the Black Foils NZL SailGP Team, co-leading them to joint top position in the 2025 SailGP season after wins in Dubai and Portsmouth.
Beyond competition, Burling and long-time teammate Blair Tuke co-founded the Live Ocean Foundation, championing marine conservation and ocean research.
Charlie Dalin (FRA)
France’s Charlie Dalin dominated the 2024–25 Vendée Globe, finishing in 64 days 19 hours 22 minutes 49 seconds — nine days faster than the previous record.
With multiple offshore titles, including Route du Rhum and Figaro series victories, Dalin’s relentless pursuit of improvement and precision makes him one of the most respected solo sailors in the world.
Alexis Loison (FRA)
One of offshore sailing’s most consistent performers, Alexis Loison celebrated major victories in 2025 including SPI Ouest France, the Fastnet Race, and Solitaire du Figaro Paprec.
Loison’s tactical sharpness and endurance across single-handed and crewed disciplines underline his reputation as one of France’s great all-round sailors.
Jordi Xammar Hernández (ESP)
A serial medal-winner in the 470 Class, Spain’s Jordi Xammar added both the European and World Championship titles in 2025 — achieved with new teenage crewmate Marta Cardona Alcántara after only weeks of partnership.
Xammar also captured the Switch One Design Foiling Under-75 kg World Championship, demonstrating his extraordinary versatility across disciplines.
The female finalists
Martine Grael (BRA)
Tokyo 2020 Olympic Champion Martine Grael became the first female driver to win a SailGP fleet race, steering the Mubadala Brasil SailGP Team to victory in New York.
Continuing the legendary Grael family tradition, Martine has become a symbol of leadership and representation in elite professional sailing.
Allison Bell (USA)
Skippering her 59-year-old Cal 40 Restless, Allison Bell made history as the first woman skipper to win the Transpacific Yacht Race (Transpac) in its 119-year history — doing so without professional crew.
Her grassroots campaign and lifelong service to the sport, including her current role as Vice Commodore of San Diego Yacht Club, have made her an inspiration for community sailors worldwide.
Justine Mettraux (SUI)
Finishing eighth in the 2024–25 Vendée Globe, Justine Mettraux set a new benchmark as the fastest woman ever to complete the solo, non-stop circumnavigation, clocking 76 days 1 hour 36 minutes.
Her impressive résumé includes Volvo Ocean Race experience and consistent podiums in the Solitaire du Figaro, confirming her as one of Switzerland’s greatest sailors.
Jazz Turner (GBR)
At 26, Para inclusive sailor Jazz Turner became the first known female wheelchair user to sail solo, non-stop and unassisted around the British Isles.
Her 2,070-mile journey tested her resolve through storms, groundings, and exhaustion, yet she returned triumphant to Brighton Marina after four weeks at sea.
Turner raised more than £50,000 for Sailability, funding boats for athletes with disabilities — a legacy extending well beyond her voyage.
Young World Sailor of the Year finalists
The Kuehne + Nagel Young World Sailor of the Year, launched in 2024, celebrates excellence among sailors under 21.
Male finalists include:
Seb Menzies & George Lee Rush (NZL) – the Kiwi 49er duo who won the 2025 Open European Championship by a 54-point margin.
Rory Meehan (AUS) – 2025 U19 iQFOiL World Champion, dominating youth and senior fleets alike.
Grae Morris (AUS) – Paris 2024 Olympic silver-medallist with multiple iQFOiL international titles.
Nikolaos Pappas (GRE) – just 13 and already the 2025 Optimist World Champion, defeating 213 sailors in Slovenia.
Female finalists include:
Antonina Puchowska & Alicja Dampc (POL) – gold medallists at both the 2025 29er European and World Championships.
Marta Cardona Alcántara (ESP) – dual 470 World and European Champion alongside Jordi Xammar after just weeks together.
Maddalena Maria Spanu (ITA) – dominant force in WingFoil Racing, undefeated in 2025 and already a two-time world champion.
Tamar Steinberg (ISR) – gold and silver medallist in 2025 iQFOiL events, bridging youth and senior success.
Team of the Year finalists
Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL) – secured their third consecutive America’s Cup victory, winning the Match 7-2 in Barcelona.
Headcase (IRL) – a grassroots J/24 crew who, after years of commitment, finally won the 2025 J/24 World Championship.
Match in Pink by Normandy Elite Team (FRA) – five-time Women’s Match Racing World Champions, led by Pauline Courtois.
Yes We Sail (ESP) – developed ground-breaking technology to enable blind skipper Dani Anglada Pich to sail solo around the Isle of Wight unaided, using a haptic vest linked to wind and waypoint sensors — a milestone for inclusive sailing.
Recognising every facet of the sport
From professional racing teams to solo adventurers and youth sailors, the 2025 shortlist highlights sailing’s diversity, ingenuity and resilience.
Voting is open to the public through the World Sailing website, with winners announced on 5 November 2025 at the World Sailing Awards Gala in Ireland.
For New Zealand readers, all eyes will be on Peter Burling, Seb Menzies and George Lee Rush, and Emirates Team New Zealand — each representing Kiwi talent at its finest on the international stage.
