Matt Wearn OAM OLY has been shortlisted as one of four male finalists for the prestigious 2026 Rolex World Sailor of the Year Awards, capping off a remarkable return to international ILCA 7 competition. The two-time Olympic champion’s dominant season has placed him firmly among sailing’s elite contenders for one of the sport’s highest individual honours.
Public support plays a crucial role in determining the winner, with community votes accounting for 50 per cent of the final result alongside the assessment of World Sailing’s expert judging panel. Voting remains open until the 2nd of November, giving the Australian sailing community a direct say in the outcome.
Wearn’s season statistics speak for themselves. He won five of the six regattas he competed in, including three Sailing Grand Slam events, and claimed silver at the ILCA 7 World Championship in Dún Laoghaire, Ireland. It was a commanding body of work that underlined his status as one of the finest one-design sailors in the world.
After stepping away from competition following his gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Wearn returned to the fleet in blistering form. He won Sail Melbourne in November 2025 before securing his seventh Australian ILCA 7 National Championship title in January 2026.
He carried that momentum into Europe, winning the Trofeo Princesa Sofía in Palma and Semaine Olympique Française in Hyères, before claiming victory at the San Pedro Olympic Classes Regatta on the waters set to host sailing at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Wearn rounded out his campaign with an impressive performance at the ILCA 7 World Championship, climbing from ninth overall to secure silver with an incredible final day of racing.
“It’s an honour to be recognised for this year’s performance on such a high level. Some amazing names and achievements to go up against,” Wearn said on the announcement.
Wearn is joined in the male category by French offshore sailing record-holder Thomas Coville, Singaporean Formula Kite World Champion Max Maeder and Dutch iQFOiL World Champion Luuc van Opzeeland.
The Rolex World Sailor of the Year Awards are among the highest individual honours in sailing, recognising outstanding achievements across the sport. Australian sailors have enjoyed notable success in the male category, with Tom Slingsby winning the award three times, alongside previous Australian winners James Spithill in 2014 and Mathew Belcher in 2013.
With Wearn’s outstanding season earning him a place among the sport’s finest, the Australian sailing community can rally behind the double Olympic champion and show its support in the race for one of sailing’s most prestigious awards.
The winner will be announced at a ceremony in Qingdao, China, during the World Sailing Annual Conference on Wednesday 18 November.
