Double Olympic champion Matt Wearn OAM OLY has claimed his fourth Australian Male Sailor of the Year title, leading a successful night for the Australian Sailing Team at the 2026 Australian Sailing Awards in Sydney. 

Wearn was joined among the award winners by Australian Sailing Squad iQFOiL sailor Rory Meehan, named Noakes Group Male Youth Sailor of the Year for the second time, while Wearn’s coach, Rafa Trujillo OLY, secured his third consecutive Coach of the Year award. 

Wearn enjoyed a dominant return to the ILCA 7, winning three Sailing Grand Slam events and securing his seventh Australian National Championship title, building strong momentum towards LA2028. 

“It’s been great getting back into the ILCA,” said Wearn. “Having eighteen months away from it after Paris gave me the perspective I needed to come back into the Olympic world.” 

Despite already holding three previous Australian Male Sailor of the Year titles, Wearn said this one felt a little different. 

“I think the success of this yearprobably makes it a little bit more special. 2024 was great with that performance at the Games, but it was four major regatta wins this year, which is something I hadn’t done before.” 

Trujillo has played a pivotal role in Wearn’s performances while continuing to build depth across the Australian ILCA 7 National Squad. An Olympic silver medallist himself in the Finn class, this third consecutive coaching award recognises his contribution to individual athlete performance and the broader High Performance program. 

Meehan’s recognition highlights the next generation of Australian sailing talent. Competing in iQFOiL, the Queenslander was recognised for his success at both youth and senior levels. This included his 2025 U19 World Championships win and his impressive ninth-place finish at the Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta Sailing Grand Slam, on the waters that will host the 2028 Olympic Games. 

The evening also celebrated Australia’s sailing legacy, with 2016 Olympic champion Tom Burton OAM inducted into the Australian Sailing Hall of Fame. 

Burton claimed gold in the Laser class at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, delivering an incredible performance in the medal race to secure the win. As an Olympic champion, a former World Champion and an athlete who enjoyed continued success on the international stage for over a decade, his induction recognises his place in Australian sailing history. 

Established in 2017 in partnership with the Australian National Maritime Museum, the Hall of Fame honoursindividuals and teams whose performances and contributions have helped shape Australian sailing. Burton was inducted alongside David Kellett AM, Dr Lyndall Patterson (neé Coxon)and Walter Reeks, each recognised for their significant contributions to the sport. 

From Olympic champions to emerging talent and those behind the scenes that make it all happen, the evening showcased the people driving Australian sailing forward while celebrating those who have helped build its proud history.  

2026 Australian Sailing Award Winners 

Female Sailor of the Year - Stacey Jackson (Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron, QLD)

Male Sailor of the Year - Matt Wearn OAM OLY (Royal Perth Yacht Club/Fremantle Sailing Club/Australian Sailing Team, WA) 

Team of the Year - Kairos Racing (Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, NSW/ACT) 

Para Sailor of the Year - Genevieve Wickham (Royal Perth Yacht Club, WA) 

Noakes Group Male Youth Sailor of the Year - Rory Meehan (Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron/Australian Sailing Squad, QLD) 

Noakes Group Female Youth Sailor of the Year - Mia Austin and Zara Marks (Woollahra Sailing Club, NSW/ACT) 

Coach of the Year - Rafael Trujillo OLY (Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron/Australian Sailing Team, QLD) 

Club of the Year - Category A - Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club (WA) 

Club of the Year - Category B - Goolwa Regatta Yacht Club (SA) 

Innovation Award - Southport Yacht Club – Summer on the Lake (Southport Yacht Club, QLD) 

Instructor of the Year – Ian Fox (Royal Yacht Club of Victoria, VIC) 

Official of the Year - Malcolm Hughes (Adelaide Sailing Club, SA) 

SheSails Award - South Australian Women’s Keelboat Regatta (Cruising Yacht Club of South Australia, SA) 

Sport Professional Award - Greg Rowlings (Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania, TAS) 

Sport Promotion Award - Sail Port Stephens (Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club, NSW/ACT) 

Volunteer of the Year - Emma Hooper (Sandy Bay Sailing Club, TAS)