New Zealand sailing gathers for its biggest night of the year tomorrow when the 2025 Barfoot & Thompson Yachting Excellence Awards take place at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron. The evening brings together people from every corner of the sport: Olympic medallists, offshore sailors, youth competitors, coaches, club leaders, and long-time volunteers whose work keeps their communities afloat.
The Sir Bernard Fergusson Trophy remains the most anticipated award of the night. Past winners include Isaac McHardie and William McKenzie, Sir Peter Blake, Barbara Kendall, Peter Burling and Blair Tuke, Sir Russell Coutts, Jo Aleh and Polly Powrie, Bruce Farr, and Emirates Team New Zealand. The list is a reminder of the calibre New Zealand continues to produce, and tomorrow a new name will be added.
While the top awards draw plenty of attention, much of the evening celebrates people whose efforts are often seen only within their clubs or regions. From race officials and organisers to young sailors taking their first steps on the world stage, the event highlights the work and commitment that keep the sport moving forward.
Awards being presented
This year’s programme includes:
- Orbit World Travel Sailor of the Year (Sir Bernard Fergusson Trophy)
- Barfoot & Thompson Male Sailor of the Year
- Barfoot & Thompson Female Sailor of the Year
- NZL Sailing Foundation Young Male Sailor of the Year
- NZL Sailing Foundation Young Female Sailor of the Year
- B&G Performance Coach of the Year
- Yachting New Zealand Emerging Coach of the Year
- Millennium Hotels Official of the Year
- PredictWind Emerging Talent Award
- Lawson’s Dry Hills Peter Lester Award for Outstanding Contribution to Sailing
- MAST Academy Young Leadership Award
- North Sails Sportsmanship Award
- Evocean Sustainability Award
- Yamaha Motor NZ Service Awards
- Radix Nutrition Performance Awards
- Appliances Online Youth Performance Awards
- Kiwi Yachting & Baltic Lifejackets Cruising Awards
These categories cover everything from international podiums to the day-to-day work that shapes club culture and keeps people involved.
Why this year feels important
Kiwi sailors have had another strong run across Olympic classes, foiling events, youth regattas and major offshore races. Tomorrow night is a chance to bring those achievements together and recognise the people behind them, whether they’re sailing at the sharp end of competition or teaching beginners how to launch their first trailer-sailer.
The awards also give a sense of where the sport is heading. Rising talent, new coaching groups, community programmes, and long-standing contributors all feature in this year’s nominations.
Boating New Zealand’s coverage
Boating New Zealand will be in the room tomorrow night to report on the winners and speak with sailors, coaches and club leaders as the trophies are handed out. Coverage will run across boatingnz.co.nz and our social channels throughout the evening, with full write-ups to follow.
Whether you’re watching from ashore or attending the event, we’ll bring the key announcements and the stories behind them from the 2025 Yachting New Zealand Excellence Awards.
