Australia’s bright future will be on show with the finalists for the inaugural Noakes Group Male Youth Sailor of the Year at the 2026 Australian Sailing Awards. 

With Noakes Group announced as Australian Sailing’s Official Youth Sailing Partner, the youth award has been expanded this year so that both female and male sailors are recognised for their achievements. 

The talented trio of Rory Meehan (QLD), Connor Radford (NSW/ACT) and Jasper Stay (WA) have each made their mark on the international stage across Olympic and emerging foiling classes.With the winner set to be announced at the nation’s peak sailing awards will be held at the Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour on Friday, October 30.  

The Finalists: 

Rory Meehan 

Reigning Youth Sailor of the Year Rory Meehan continued his rise through the international ranks with an outstanding seventh place at the Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta in July 2026, racing against many of the world’s best senior iQFOiL athletes and Olympic medallists. 

The result builds on his Under-19 iQFOiL World Championship title in Brest, France, where he won against a fleet of 149 of the world’s best youth windfoilers. 

In 2026, Rory was awarded a Tier 3 Scholarship through the Sport Australia Hall of Fame Scholarship and Mentoring Program, recognising his achievements and potential as one of Australia’s future sporting stars. 

Rory began sailing at the age of seven in Pacers, Flying 11s and 29ers before moving into the iQFOiL in early 2022. His dedication, resilience and work ethic have made him one of Australia’s brightest Olympic prospects and an inspiration to the next generationof sailors to dream big and compete on the world stage. 

Connor Radford 

Connor Radford established himself as one of Australia’s leading wing foil athletes with fourth place at the Formula Wing Youth World Championships in Silvaplana, Switzerland, in June 2026, finishing behind three international riders who regularly rank inside the world’s top ten. 

This result followed an impressive 14th-place finish at his first international competition, the WingFoil Racing World Cup in Silvaplana. Competing against athletes with years of World Tour experience, Connor delivered an outstanding performance, including a race victory over riders currently ranked within the world's top ten. 

At home he finished second at the Australian Nationals and won the Sail Brisbane Open Wing Foil, which doubled as the Queensland State Titles. He was also third U19 at the New Zealand Nationals. 

Sailing since the age of 10 in Pelicans, Open Skiffs, Flying 11s, Cherubs and 13ft Skiffs, Connor moved into wing foiling three and a half years ago and has become a leading figure in the Lake Macquarie wing foiling community. 

Beyond his own results, Connor is always willing to support riders of all ages and abilities, generously sharing his knowledge and experience. He has encouraged new sailors into the sport and assisted their development through training and competition. 

Jasper Stay 

Jasper Stay finished second overall and first U19 at the 2026 ILCA 6 UK National Championship in July, in a strong 111-boat fleet. 

As the Under 19 ILCA 6 National Champion, Jasper earned selection to represent Australia at the Youth World Championship. At the 2025–26 Australian ILCA 6 National Championships he finished fifth in the open fleet of 74 and was the top youth male, racing against top-ranked Australian and international senior athletes including World Championship medallists and Olympians. 

He was also the top youth male at Sail Melbourne and finished 26th at the 2025 U19 ILCA 6 World Championships.In 2026, Jasper achieved Australian Institute of Sport categorisation and was awarded a Western Australian Institute of Sport scholarship. 

Jasper’s progress and resultsreflect an exceptional work ethic and an increasingly professional approach to his sport. Equally impressive is his willingness to give back, regularly coaching and mentoring younger sailors at his local club. 

Previous Youth Sailor of the Year winners: 

2024-25 Rory Meehan 

2023-24 Healy Ryan 

2022-23 Harry Joyner 

2021-22 Evie Saunders 

2020-21 James Jackson & Harrison Chapman 

2019-20 Scott Whitehead 

2018-19 Will Cooley and Rebecca Hancock 

2017-18 Zac Littlewood 

2016-17 Finn Alexander 

2015-16 Alistair Young 

2014-15 Kyle O’Connell & Tom Siganto 

2013-14 Kurt Hansen & Harry Morton 

2012-13 Carrie Smith & Ella Clark 

2011-12 Mark Spearman 

2010-11 Angus Galloway & Alexander Gough 

2009-10 Jessica Watson 

2008-09 Gabrielle King 

2007-08 Gabrielle King 

2006-07 Belinda Kerl & Chelsea Hall 

2005-06 Evan Walker & Kyle Langford 

2004-05 Nathan Outteridge 

2002-03 Nathan Outteridge & Ayden Menzies 

2001-02 Melissa Bryant & Martha Leonard 

2000-01 Ben Austin 

1999-00 Jesse Martin 

1998-99 Lisa Charlson & Sarah Roberts-Thomson 

1996-98 Lauren Jeffries 

1995-96 Glenn Ashby 

1994-95 Sarah Blanck, Brendan Casey 

1993-94 Bryony Hooper & Amanda Miller 

1992-93 Australian Youth Team – Natasha Sturges, Beau Moulson, Ian Neely, Maree Early, Kate Fitzsimmons & Kathryn McQueen, Michael Coxon & Christian Stevens 

1991-92 Natasha Sturges 

1990-91 Natasha Sturges 

1989-90 Jason Muir & Dominic White 

1988-89 Joshua Faddy 

1987-88 David Woods 

1986-87 Paul Burnell