Yachting New Zealand Excellence Awards recognise excellence in sailing, from Optimists through to offshore boats. This country has produced, and continues to produce, some outstanding sailors who have achieved some amazing feats on the world stage. Previous winners of the Sir Bernard Fergusson Trophy for the Sailor of the Year include 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. But the annual Yachting New Zealand Excellence Awards, which features a gala dinner, are also an opportunity to recognise achievements at local and club level and there are many who do so much to make these places special.
This year’s event will be presented at a gala dinner at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron on November 22, 2024 with tickets going on sale in September.
Nominations are OPEN and will close September 1, 2024.
The following award categories are recognised in 2024:
- Sailor of the Year Award for the Sir Bernard Fergusson Trophy
- Male Sailor of the Year Award
- Female Sailor of the Year Award
- Young Male Sailor of the Year Award
- Young Female Sailor of the Year Award
- Performance Coach of the Year
- Yachting New Zealand Emerging Coach of the Year
- Official of the Year
- Emerging Talent Award
- Outstanding Contribution Award
- Young Leadership Award
- Sportsmanship Award
- Sustainability Award
- Service Awards
- Performance Awards
- Youth Performance Awards
- Cruising Awards
For a list of all previous award recipients, take a look at our Roll of Honour.
For more information or if you have any queries, please contact Angela Jordan at angela@yachtingnz.org.nz.