Celebration and recognition of those who have dedicated their lives to excellence, innovation, and service to sailing is the aim of the Queensland Sailing Awards and, for recipients of the Lifetime Achievers Award, it is a way of acknowledging their legacy of impact and inspiration in the sailing community.

Having dedicated decades demonstrating unwavering commitment, passion, and resilience, this year the recipients’ achievements are not merely measured by milestones, but by the indelible mark they’ve left on their professions and communities. Services can be in many areas, such as coaching, event management, sportsmanship etc. with significant years spent in the sport. They have paved the way for future generations, setting a standard of excellence and perseverance that continues to inspire. A commemorative plaque will be added to the prestigious Solo trophy which is awarded for outstanding services to the sport in Queensland for each Lifetime Achiever.

Each Lifetime Achiever has a story that transcends professional success. Their work has affected countless lives, whether through groundbreaking activities, influence, community service, or pioneering leadership. These individuals have not only achieved great things but have also inspired and uplifted those around them.

ADRIAN FINGLAS Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron

For more than four decades, Adrian Finglas has made an exceptional, enduring contribution to sailing as a champion sailor, high-performance coach, mentor and leader. Adrian has inspired generations of athletes and has left an indelible mark.

Adrian's sailing career began by winning the 1983 Australian Sabot National Championship, and he then went on to become an Australian Champion in various classes, demonstrating versatility across sailing disciplines. This led to an equally distinguished international sailing career, and a campaign for selection in the Australian Olympic Team in the 470 for 1988 Seoul and 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games. In addition, Adrian participated in the San Diego America's Cup, the South African Maxi One Design Around the Island Race, the Rolex Fastnet Race, Around Sweden Race, Sweden to Kiel Race, and numerous Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Races. He has received the Yachting Queensland Sailor of the Year Award on three occasions and the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron Sailor of the Year Award three times.

Adrian's greatest legacy lies in coaching, creating pathways that have produced National Champions, Youth World Champions, World Champions, Olympians and Paralympians. As Head Coach of the Queensland Academy of Sport Sailing Program from 2007 to 2013, Adrian built a most successful youth performance program. His own coaching career reached the pinnacle of international success when he served as an Australian Olympic Coach for the Yngling Class at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. He also coached Dan Fitzgibbon and Liesl Tesch to a Silver Medal at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games and, four years later, to Australia's Gold Medal at the London 2012 Paralympic Games in the SKUD 18 class.

JAMES COX Keppel Bay Sailing Club

James "Jim" Cox has more than 60 years of exceptional service to the sport, as a sailor, volunteer, instructor, coach, race official, administrator, mentor and advocate.

Jim's passion for the sport began early when his parents founded Beachmere Sailing Club in 1967, and Jim helped operate and manage the club. During its 33-year history, the club hosted numerous Queensland State Championships and the only Arrow and Paper Tiger Catamaran National Championships ever held in Queensland.

Jim began racing at 9 years old in the Moth before progressing through the Arafura class and ultimately becoming a lifelong Arrow sailor. More than six decades later, he continues to compete at club, state and national level. His commitment to the Arrow class extends well beyond racing. Jim authored the current Rules of Association for both the Arrow and Arafura Cadet classes and has served as Treasurer of the Queensland Arrow Association for over 20 years, helping ensure the long-term success of one of Queensland's strongest dinghy classes. He has also worked tirelessly to encourage junior sailors and increase female participation within the class.

Jim has held leadership roles as a Board Member of the former Queensland Yachting Association (1986–1996) and represented Queensland on the Australian Sailing Safety Regulations Review Committee, contributing to the ongoing development of safety standards.

Jim is one of Keppel Bay Sailing Club’s most valued volunteers, dedicating countless hours to race management, course setting, coaching and event delivery. His expertise, fairness and calm leadership have earned him enormous respect from sailors, officials and volunteers and his willingness to help has strengthened clubs, classes and individuals throughout Queensland while fostering an inclusive and welcoming sailing community.

JAMES CLOSE (15/5/68 – 28/6/26) Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron

James Close was an amazing individual who contributed to the world of sailing from a very young age and became arguably Australia's greatest unsung hero on the water. An innovator Jim created the ‘Code Zero’, and ‘X3’ sailing dinghy. He was revered by some of our sports' biggest names which shows Jim was not only talented, but brave, determined, and was always a go-to choice when it came to being on board a boat racing around the world. Nick Maloney classes his Bass Strait Windsurfing Guinness World Record from 1998, that still stands today, to Jim. As a sailmaker, he was a magnificent trimmer, and unbelievable helm, and competed in ocean racing, match racing, grand prix regattas and Americas cups. Jim was always concerned about safety but put himself out there when required - as shown when he saved a fellow crew member from going overboard in the Southern Ocean.

After completing the 2023 Sydney Hobart race double handed with Drew Carruthers on Showdown, Jim was firstly diagnosed with esophageal cancer, and then a string of complications thereafter. Jim's favourite saying had to be, 'You can't push a rope!', but boy he tried hard when it came to taking on Stage Four Cancer.

Jim is survived by his wife and their two sons. This award will mean a great deal to the young men who adored their father and lost him far too soon. Jim was a true character, which is why he remains so loved and fondly remembered bymany of sailing’s most respected figures. Few could be more deserving of this recognition. Although awarded posthumously, it will mean so much to his family, friends and everyone who experienced their own Close encounter with him.

You can view all our awarded Queenslanders on the online Honour Board.

Want to read more about the 2026 Queensland Sailing Awards? Check out the article LINK