Male Sailor of the Year 2025: The Final Three
Two world champions and an America’s Cup winning skipper will battle it out for Male Sailor of the Year at the 2025 Australian Sailing Awards.
The incredible lineup of national finalists includes Mark Bulka (VIC), Nathan Outteridge (NSW/ACT) and James Mayo (NSW/ACT) who will be at the nation’s peak sailing awards at the Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney on Friday, November 14.
The winner will join an illustrious honour roll including Olympic and world champions and legends of the sport.
The Finalists:
Mark Bulka
Mark Bulka became a five-time World Champion when he won in Italy in August at Fraglia Vela Malcesine, capping off a fabulous 2025 campaign where he had multiple first place and podium finishes.
Bulka claimed line honours at Sail Sandy J70, NSW Contender State Championship, Aus Contender Championship, Victorian Impulse Championships, Victorian Contender Championship and Lake Boga Tasars.
Mark's results demonstrate extraordinary consistency across diverse classes and in all conditions. At the same time as he finds himself on top of the podium (regularly), he always sharing advice with other sailors. Thanks to Mark's drive, enthusiasm and approachability, the classes, club and school he works with are experiencing a resurgence in high performance sailing.
Nathan Outteridge
Nathan Outteridge climbed the summit of world sailing in 2024 when he joined the esteemed list of America's Cup winning Skippers. Outteridge was co-helm of Emirates Team NZ along with Peter Burling when they saw off the Challenge of Britannia (representing the Royal Yacht Squadron of the United Kingdom) to raise the Auld Mug in Barcelona last August.
Outteridge joined John Bertrand, Jimmy Spithill and Glenn Ashby as the only Australians to helm a victorious America's Cup campaign, and in early 2025 was announced as the only skipper for the team's 2027 Defence after 24 co-helm Burling stood down from the team.
James Mayo
James Mayo became a three-time World Etchells champion, winning back-to-back titles when he defended his crown in January.
The unprecedented feat was the highlight of an incredibly successful 2025 campaign that included a stretch of first place finishes including the Pre-World regatta, Etchells Christmas Cup, Australian Etchells Championship, Cabbage Tree Island Race and Tollgate Line honours.
James masterminded the planning and strategy behind bringing his Etchells team together in winning both 2024 and 2025. His attention to detail is now the stuff of folklore. Logistics, delivery, sports psychology, tactical decision making, all the essence of ultimate success.
James is an outstanding role model for young athletes, actively supporting a wide range of sailing classes, including the Women’s America’s Cup, Etchells class, and Olympic classes. He leads by example with integrity and is the driving force behind countless initiatives.
Previous winners:
2023-24 Matt Wearn OAM
2022-23 Matt Wearn OAM
2021-22 Tom Slingsby OAM
2020-21 Mathew Belcher & Will Ryan
2019 - 20 Tom Slingsby OAM
2018 - 19 Mathew Belcher & Will Ryan
2017 - 18 Matt Wearn
2016 - 17 Glen Ashby
2015 - 16 Tom Burton
2014 - 15 Mathew Belcher & Will Ryan
2013 - 14 Mathew Belcher & Will Ryan
2012 - 13 Mathew Belcher & William Ryan
2011 - 12 Tom Slingsby, Mathew Belcher & Malcolm Page, and Nathan Outteridge & Iain Jensen
2010 - 11 Tom Slingsby
2009 - 10 James Spithill
2008 -09 Nathan Wilmot & Malcolm Page
2007 -08 Tom Slingsby
2006 -07 Darren Bundock & Glenn Ashby
2005 -06 James Spithill
2004 -05 Richard Perini
2003 - 04 Darren Bundock and John Forbes
2002 - 03 Darren Bundock & John Forbes
2001 - 02 Darren Bundock & John Forbes, and Arthur Brett
2000 - 01 Tom King OAM & Mark Turnbull OAM
1999 - 00 Lars Kleppich
1998 - 99 Colin Beashel OAM & David Giles
1996-98 Chris Nicholson & Daniel Phillips
