Finalists revealed
A stellar line-up of clubs, volunteers and sailing stars from around the country have been named as national finalists for the 2025 Australian Sailing Awards.
27 October 2025
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The nation’s peak sailing awards will recognise the most outstanding performances from Australia’s sailors, while also paying tribute to clubs and volunteers when the winners are announced at the Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney on Friday 14 November.
Finalists in the Female and Male Sailor of the Year categories include major regatta medallists, America’s Cup winners and World Champions across multiple classes.
The Female Sailor of the Year category will be hotly contested with finalists including Bridget Conrad (NSW/ACT), Zoe Thomson (WA) and Laura Harding (VIC).
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Paris Olympian Zoe Thomson had a key breakthrough in 2025 with her first overall international win at the Sailing Grand Slam – Palma in March, Bridget Conrad had multiple podium finishes this season and claimed the Australian WASZP Championship, NSW and WA WASZP Championships, while Laura Harding teamed with Annie Wilmot to secure big results across the 49erFX class.
In the Male Sailor of the Year category, the line up of national finalists includes Mark Bulka (VIC), Nathan Outteridge (NSW/ACT) and James Mayo (NSW/ACT).
Mark Bulka became a five-time World Champion when he won the Contender Worlds in Italy in August at Fraglia Vela Malcesine, capping off a strong 2025 campaign where he had multiple first place and podium finishes.
Nathan Outteridge climbed the summit of world sailing when he became the fourth Aussie to helm an America’s Cup winning campaign, while James Mayo became a three-time World Etchells champion, winning unprecedented back-to-back titles.
Four clubs are in the running for the Club of the Year (Category A) including Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club (WA), Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club (NSW/ACT), Royal Brighton Yacht Club (VIC) and Southport Yacht Club (QLD), while another four clubs are competing for the Category B Club of the Year award including Saltwater Veterans Sailing Project (NSW/ACT), Port Dalrymple Yacht Club (TAS), Davey’s Bay Yacht Club (VIC) and Cleveland Yacht Club (QLD).
One of the most anticipated awards of the night will be the Volunteer of the Year award, where a host of candidates will be highlighted, including Julia Hornsby (NSW/ACT), Rosaline Marshall (VIC) and Donnah Jordan (QLD).
Other awards on the night will include Youth Sailor of the Year, Para Sailor of the Year, Team of the Year, Coach of the Year, Instructor of the Year, Official of the Year and many others as the Australian Sailing community gathers to salute another outstanding season.
Winners will be announced at the National Sailing Awards and Hall of Fame Induction Dinner on Friday 14 November at Australian National Maritime Museum, Sydney.
The Australian Sailing Facebook and Instagram channels will also reveal the winners live on the night.
The full list of finalists for the 2025 Australian Sailing Awards can also be found here.
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