A record-breaking round-the-world sailor, a history-making Rolex Sydney Hobart champion and the reigning title holder are the Female Sailor of the Year finalists at the 2026 Australian Sailing Awards. 

Stacey Jackson (QLD), Jiang Lin (NSW/ACT) and Zoe Thomson OLY (WA) each had a landmark season across offshore and Olympic sailing, making this one of the most keenly contested categories of the night. 

The nation’s peak sailing awards will be held at the Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour on Friday, October 30, with the winners set to join an illustrious honour roll including Olympic and world champions and legends of the sport. 

The Finalists: 

Stacey Jackson 

Stacey Jackson made sailing history in January 2026 as part of the first all-female crew to sail non-stop around the world. She completed the Trophée Jules Verne aboard the maxi trimaran IDEC Sport with The Famous Project CIC in 57 days, 21 hours and 20 minutes. 

It was Stacey’s third time around the world, after two Volvo Ocean Races with Team SCA and Vestas 11th Hour Racing. The record also made her the fastest Australian ever to sail non-stop around the globe. 

She also represented Australia at the RORC Offshore Double Handed World Championship in Cowes with James Whelan, finishing 12th in the 21-boat fleet. 

Her other results include second in the TP52 Gold Cup, 4th at the Sardinia Cup aboard Jolt 3 with several race wins, and fifth in ORR Division 1 at the Pacific Cup aboard Merlin.  

A veteran of 17 Sydney Hobarts, Stacey keeps opening doors for women in elite offshore racing. With her long-time sailing partner Katie Spithill, she put together ‘Women Racing’ to represent Australia at the inaugural New York Yacht Club International Women’s Match Racing Championship. 

Stacey continues to be an outstanding ambassador for Australian sailing, inspiring sailors of all ages through her determination, professionalism, and relentless pursuit of excellence. Her achievements continue to break new ground and reinforce her status as one of Australia's most accomplished offshore sailors. 

Jiang Lin 

Jiang Lin became the first female skipper in the 80-year history of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race to win the overall IRC title in 2025. 

Racing the double-handed JPK 10.230 Min River alongside Alexis Loison, Jiang was not only the first female skipper, but the first double-handed skipper to win the Tattersall Cup, ahead of a fleet of 103 boats, marking a turning point for both women in sailing and the fast-growing double-handed discipline. 

Her success was not limited to the Rolex Sydney Hobart, she was consistent all season. Jiang finished second overall in the Audi Centre Sydney Blue Water Pointscore. She also won the Wild Rose Pointscore, which recognises female participation in offshore racing, and placed fourth in the double-handed division of the Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race. 

In recognition of her extraordinary season, the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia named Jiang both its Female Ocean Racer of the Year and Double-Handed Ocean Racer of the Year. 

As one of a growing number of female yacht owners, Jiang has become a role model for women who want to skipper their own boats. She shared her story as a panellist in the CYCA’s Offshore Pathways Information Evening Series and encouraged new sailors to pursue offshore racing. 

Through her willingness to mentor, educate and engage with others, she has helped make offshore sailing more accessible and welcoming to the next generation of competitors. When Jiangisn’t racing, she can often be found volunteering on the club’s start boat. 

Zoe Thomson OLY 

The 2025 Australian Female Sailor of the Year, Zoe Thomson OLY continued to establish herself among the world's leading ILCA 6 sailors with another strong international campaign in 2025–26. Zoe consistently demonstrated her ability to perform against world-class competition andclimbed to seventh in the World Sailing ILCA6 rankings.  

Internationally, Zoe finished sixth at the 2025 ILCA European Championships and ninth at the Sailing Grand Slam Trofeo Princesa Sofía Regatta. She was the first Australian at the 2025–26 ILCA Australian Nationals, finishing third overall behind strong international competition and placed 5th at Sail Melbourne. 

Zoe had a busy year representing Australia at international events including French Olympic Week where she finished 15thand the San Pedro Olympic Classes Regatta, finishing 22nd on the future Olympic waters.  

While competing at the highest level, Zoe remains passionate about developing the next generation of sailors. A highlight of the year was coaching at Westsail, where she generously shared her knowledge and experience with emerging sailors. She values these opportunities to mentor young athletes, believing they not only help others develop but also strengthen her own learning and connection to the sport.  

Zoe's resilience, consistency and commitment to continual improvement have laid a strong foundation as she continues her pursuit of international podium performances and her long-term goal of Olympic selectionand success at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. 

Previous winners: 

2024-25 Zoe Thomson 

2023-24 Breiana Whitehead 

2022-23 Mara Stransky 

2021-22 Mara Stransky 

2020-21 Lisa Darmanin 

2019-20 Lisa Darmanin 

2018-19 Nia Jerwood & Monique de Vries 

2017-18 Wendy Tuck 

2016-17 Tash Bryant & Annie Wilmot 

2015-16 Lisa Darmanin 

2014-15 Lisa Darmanin 

2013-14 Vanessa Dudley 

2012-13 Carrie Smith & Ella Clarke 

2011-12 Olivia Price, Nina Curtis and Lucinda Whitty 

2010-11 Lyndall Patterson 

2009-10 Nicole Souter & Rayshele Martin & Nina Curtis & Lucinda Whitty & Kat Stroinovsky & Amanda Scrivenor 

2008-09 Elise Rechichi & Tessa Parkinson 

2007-08 Elise Rechichi & Tessa Parkinson 

2006-07 Sarah Blanck 

2005-06 Allison Shreeve 

2004-05 Adrienne Cahalan 

2003-04 Krystal Weir 

2002-03 Adrienne Cahalan 

2001-02 Jenny Armstrong OAM & Belinda Stowell OAM 

2000-01 Jenny Armstrong OAM & Belinda Stowell OAM 

1999-00 Jessica Crisp 

1998-99 Melanie Dennison 

1996-98 Sarah Blanck