The annual Barfoot & Thompson Yachting Excellence Awards recognises excellence in sailing, from Optimists through to offshore boats.
New Zealand has produced, and continues to produce, some outstanding sailors who have achieved amazing feats on the world stage. Previous winners of the Sir Bernard Fergusson Trophy for the Orbit World Travel Sailor of the Year include Sir Peter Blake, Barbara Kendall, Peter Burling and Blair Tuke, Sir Russell Coutts, Jo Aleh and Polly Powrie, Bruce Farr, and Emirates Team New Zealand.
The awards are also an opportunity to recognise achievements at local and club level and there are many who do so much to make these places special.
This year’s gala dinner event was held at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron on November 22, 2024.
The following award categories were recognised in 2024:
- Orbit World Travel Sailor of the Year Award for the Sir Bernard Fergusson Trophy
- Barfoot & Thompson Male Sailor of the Year Award
- Barfoot & Thompson Female Sailor of the Year Award
- NZL Sailing Foundation Young Male Sailor of the Year Award
- NZL Sailing Foundation Young Female Sailor of the Year Award
- B&G Performance Coach of the Year
- Yachting New Zealand Emerging Coach of the Year
- Millennium Hotels & Resorts NZ Official of the Year
- Aon New Zealand Emerging Talent Award
- Lawson's Dry Hills Outstanding Contribution Award
- MAST Academy Young Leadership Award
- North Sails Sportsmanship Award
- Evocean Sustainability Award
- Yamaha New Zealand Service Awards
- Radix Nutrition Performance Awards
- Andoo Youth Performance Awards
- Kiwi Yachting Cruising Awards
For a list of all previous award recipients, take a look at our Roll of Honour.
For more information or if you have any queries, please contact Angela Jordan at angela@yachtingnz.org.nz
