The World Sailing Team of the Year Award is one of the most prestigious honors in international sailing, celebrating the crew that best embodies excellence, teamwork, and the sport’s core values. Presented annually at the World Sailing Awards, the accolade recognizes a team of two or more sailors—across any class or discipline—who have demonstrated exceptional performance, skill, and sportsmanship throughout the year.
Each year, the nomination process is open to the global sailing community. National federations, class associations, and fans can all propose teams who have achieved outstanding results. A panel of experts reviews the nominations and selects a shortlist of finalists, which is then opened to a public vote, giving sailors and supporters around the world a voice in choosing the winning crew.
What makes this award unique is its inclusiveness. It celebrates every form of sailing—Olympic classes, offshore racing, foiling, match racing, and everything in between. The focus is on collaboration, resilience, and unity—qualities that define great teams on the water. Whether it’s maintaining perfect synchronization in high-performance skiffs or enduring the punishing conditions of ocean racing, the World Sailing Team of the Year Award honors those who succeed through shared vision and teamwork.
Over the years, past winners have represented the pinnacle of sailing achievement. The Italian duo Ruggero Tita and Caterina Banti, for example, captured the award after dominating the Nacra 17 class with unmatched consistency and precision, including their Olympic and World Championship victories. Their partnership demonstrated how technical mastery and trust can define a new era of mixed-crew racing.
Other notable honorees include the Australian SailGP Team, whose groundbreaking success in the high-speed F50 foiling catamaran series showcased not only tactical brilliance but also innovation and composure under pressure. Offshore legends such as Charles Caudrelier’s Dongfeng Race Team, winners of the Volvo Ocean Race, have also received the distinction for their endurance and perseverance across the world’s toughest waters.
Through these stories, the Team of the Year Award stands as a testament to the extraordinary collaboration that defines sailing at its highest level. It’s more than a trophy—it’s a recognition of discipline, strategy, and unity in pursuit of perfection. The award immortalizes those teams who remind the sailing world that the strongest force on the water isn’t the wind—it’s the bond between crewmates.
