News
FINALISTS ANNOUNCED for the 2026 QUEENSLAND SAILING AWARDS
Published Wed 19 Aug 2026
From performance level sailing athletes to grassroots volunteers, this year the 2026 Queensland Sailing Awards nominations are packed with acknowledgements of the passion, dedication, innovation, inclusion and community spirit of everyone engaged in our wonderful sport. We are excited to see the wave of nominees in several awards categories this year!
Bring your crew to this amazing evening to cheer on the finalists, watch as the winners take to the stage and celebrate the best of Queensland sailing.
📅Friday 11th September
📍Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron
🍽 3-course dinner + celebrations
🎟 Tickets on sale now! https://www.sailing.org.au/events/364788
($85 adults - $30 under 12)
2026 QUEENSLAND FINALISTS
FEMALE SAILOR OF THE YEAR
Mara Stransky – Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron/ILCA Queensland
Stacey Jackson – Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron
Laila Opanubi – Australian Wing Foil Racing Association
Frances Beebe – ILCA Queensland
Breiana Whitehead – Townsville Yacht Club
MALE SAILOR OF THE YEAR
Brendan Casey – Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron
Joel Turner – Southport Yacht Club/18Ft Skiff
PARA SAILOR OF THE YEAR
Naomi Ooue – Southport Yacht Club
Jason Lea – Moreton Bay Boat Club
YOUTH SAILOR OF THE YEAR
Rory Meehan – Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron
Harry Hogan – Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron
Laken Eaton – Australian Wing Foil Racing Association
Nathaniel McCarthy – Southport Yacht Club
Leon-Wei Petit – Lake Cootharaba Sailing Club/Noosa Yacht & Rowing Club
Jackson Black – Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron/ILCA Queensland
TEAM OF THE YEAR
To be announced on the night
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
Finn Griffin – Southport Yacht Club
Gerard Del Facero – Tinaroo Sailing Club
Bluey & Paul Harris – Keppel Bay Sailing Club
Gregory Clarke – Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron
Lois Rowe – Southport Yacht Club
Phil Tooth – Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron
Sam Trewavis – Mackay Sailing Club
Stephen Bowering – Wynnum Manly Sailing Club
Tess Cooper – Cairns Yacht Club
INSTRUCTOR OF THE YEAR
Justin Wise – Southport Yacht Club
Jordy Fee – Keppel Bay Sailing Club
Samantha Hogerheyde – Noosa Yacht & Rowing Club
Scott Luxton – Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron
COACH OF THE YEAR
Charlie Bratton – Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron
Hugo Ralph – Southport Yacht Club/ILCA Queensland
Raffael Trujillo – Australian Sailing Team
Mitch Pearson – Australian Sailing
Simon Small – Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron
OFFICIAL OF THE YEAR
Warren Myles – Lake Cootharaba Sailing Club
Carole Gifford – Keppel Bay Sailing Club
Matthew Johnson – Humpybong Yacht Club
SHESAILS AWARD
Wynnum Manly Sailing Club
Tomoko Nakanishi – Southport Yacht Club
Sophie Baynton – Keppel Bay Sailing Club
SPORT PROFESSIONAL AWARD
Alanna Field – Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron
Conrad Byrt – Keppel Bay Sailing Club
Kayla Boothby – Southport Yacht Club
SPORT PROMOTION AWARD
Michael Middleton – Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron
Stuart Watson – Australia Finn Association
Ashlea Kernahan – Southport Yacht Club
Adrian Bold – Southport Yacht Club
INNOVATION AWARD
South Brisbane Sailing Club
Summer on the Lake – Southport Yacht Club
Gold Coast to Mackay Yacht Race – Southport Yacht Club
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
To be announced on the night
CLUB OF THE YEAR – CAT A
Southport Yacht Club
Royal Queensland Yacht Club
Keppel Bay Sailing Club
Whitsunday Sailing Club
CLUB OF THE YEAR – CAT B
Humpybong Yacht Club
Lake Cootharaba Sailing Club
Noosa Yacht & Rowing Club
