Seb Menzies and George Lee Rush have been announced as finalists in the Team of the Year category in the 2026 World Sailing Awards.
The Team of the Year Award is presented to a crew of two or more sailors from any category of sailing and celebrates teams who personify the sporting values of integrity, ambition, resilience and resourcefulness.
World Sailing announced the finalists for this year’s Team of the Year, male and female Rolex World Sailor of the Year, male and female Young World Sailor of the Year, and World Sailing 11th Hour Racing Impact Award this morning.
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 award winners will be announced at a live ceremony on Wednesday, 18 November 2026 in Qingdao, China.
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 to vote.
Cast your vote here now. Voting closes at 12:00 UTC on Monday, 2 November.
Award Shortlists:
Team of the Year
-
Seb Menzies and George Lee Rush (NZL)
-
Diego Botin and Florian Trittel (ESP)
-
Luna Rossa Team (ITA)
- Martin Wrigley and Bettine Harris (GBR)
- The Famous Project CIC (FRA)
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 Hyderabad (IND)
Originally published by Yachting New Zealand.
