National Finalists announced for 2024 Australian Sailing Awards

The 2024 finalists for the national Australian Sailing Awards have been announced, with clubs, volunteers and sailing stars from around the country all in the running for recognition at the nation’s peak sailing awards. 

In the Female and Male Sailor of the Year categories, finalists include major regatta medallists, World Champions across multiple classes and Paris 2024 Olympians.

After an outstanding 12 months on the water, Australian Sailing Team members Laura Harding (VIC), Olivia Price (NSW) and Breiana Whitehead (QLD) are all in the running for Female Sailor of the Year.

Harding made waves throughout the 2023-24 season with several impressive results, including a fifth place finish at the 2024 49erFX World Championships with teammate Annie Wilmot. Paris Olympian Price joins Harding as a national finalist in recognition of her 49erFX campaign and Women’s America's Cup commitments. Fellow Olympian, Whitehead, rounds out the category, having finished ninth against an impressive field at Paris 2024.

In the Male Sailor of the Year category, the stellar line up of national finalists includes Grae Morris (NSW), Graeme Taylor (VIC) and Matthew Wearn (WA).

Paris 2024 Silver medallist Grae Morris is in the running for the prestigious award following his impressive Olympic debut and a string of other notable results over the past 12 months. Graeme Taylor is the second finalist in the category, having won the 2024 Etchells World Championships alongside his Andoo Comanche commitments. After winning the award in 2023, Olympic gold medallist from Paris, Matt Wearn, rounds out the division.

2023 Female and Male Sailor of the Year winners - Mara Stransky (QLD) and Matt Wearn (WA) - Credit Gregg Porteous

Adelaide Sailing Club (SA), Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club (NSW) and Sorrento Sailing Couta Boat Club (VIC) have been announced as finalists in the Club of the Year (Category A) category, whilst Goolwa Regatta Yacht Club (SA), Perth Dinghy Sailing Club (WA) and Toronto Amateur Sailing Club (NSW) will contend for Club of the Year (Category B).

The much-loved Volunteer of the Year Award will capture the eyes and hearts of the Australian Sailing community once again this year. Faced with the near-impossible task of whittling the incredible nominations from around Australia down to just three, the national judges have confirmed Cherry Callcott (WA), Peter Royle and Malcolm Hughes (SA) and Roger and Annette Wadley (QLD) as national finalists, having each contributed selflessly and significantly to their local sailing communities.

The national winners will be announced at the National Sailing Awards on Friday November 1 at Dockside in Cockle Bay Wharf, Darling Harbour. The Australian Sailing Hall of Fame will also welcome four new inductees at the Gala Dinner. 

Tickets to attend the night can be purchased here.

The full list of finalists (in alphabetical order) for the 2024 Australian Sailing Awards is as follows: 

Female Sailor of the Year

• Laura Harding (Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron, VIC)

• Olivia Price (Cruising Yacht Club of Australia/Drummoyne Sailing Club, NSW)

• Breiana Whitehead (Townsville Yacht Club, QLD)

Male Sailor of the Year

• Grae Morris (Woollahra Sailing Club, NSW)

• Graeme Taylor (Mornington Yacht Club, VIC)

• Matthew Wearn (Fremantle Sailing Club/Royal Perth Yacht Club, WA)

Youth Sailor of the Year

• Murray Duthie (South of Perth Yacht Club, WA)

• Gus McIntyre ( Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron, VIC)

• Healy Ryan (Hunters Hill Sailing Club/Double Bay Sailing Club, NSW/ACT)

Para Sailor of the Year

• Peter Coleman (Royal Brighton Yacht Club and Australian Hansa Class Association, VIC)

• Chris Symonds (Wynyard Yacht Club/Australian Hansa Class Association Inc/Sailability Tasmania, TAS) 

• Genevieve Wickham (Royal Perth Yacht Club, WA)

Team of the Year

• Nia Jerwood/Conor Nicholas (Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club and Fremantle Sailing Club, WA)

• Olivia Price/Evie Haseldine (Cruising Yacht Club of Australia/Drummoyne Sailing Club, NSW)

• Philip Turner/Duncan Hine (Derwent Sailing Squadron, TAS)

Coach of the Year

• Arthur Brett (Fremantle Sailing Club, WA)

• Brady Lowe (Brighton & Seacliff Yacht Club, SA)

• Rafael Trujillo (Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron, QLD)

Club of the Year – Category A

• Adelaide Sailing Club (SA)

• Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club (NSW)

• Sorrento Sailing Couta Boat Club (VIC)

Club of the Year – Category B

• Goolwa Regatta Yacht Club (SA)

• Perth Dinghy Sailing Club (WA)

• Toronto Amateur Sailing Club (NSW)

Volunteer of the Year

• Cherry Callcott (Fremantle Sailing Club, WA)

• Peter Royle & Malcolm Hughes (Adelaide Sailing Club, SA)

• Roger & Annette Wadley (Tinaroo Sailing Club, QLD)

Instructor of the Year

• Samantha Batty (Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron, VIC)

• Kaiella Taylor (Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club, WA)

• Emily Vivian (Humpybong Yacht Club, QLD)

Official of the Year

• David Brookes (Brisbane Sailing Squadron, QLD)

• Wayne Thompson (Largs Bay Sailing Club, SA)

Sport Promotion Award

• Lisa Darmanin (Manly 16s, NSW/ACT)

• Donna Evans (Adelaide Sailing Club, SA)

• Ocean Racing Club of Victoria (VIC)

Sport Professional Award

• Jack Buchan (Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club, NSW)

• Stephen Cheney (Hobsons Bay Yacht Club, VIC)

• Premo Jacniacki (Royal Perth Yacht Club, WA)

• Matthew Young (Adelaide Sailing Club, SA)

SheSails Award

• Sophie Baynton – Keppel Bay Sailing Club SheSails Program and Womens’ and Girls regatta (QLD)

• Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club - Women’s Sailing Course & SheSails Open Regatta (NSW)

• Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron - AWKR (VIC)

Sustainability Award

• Cruising Yacht Club Australia (NSW)

• Ocean Racing Club of Victoria (VIC)

• Port Dalrymple Yacht Club (TAS)