Quick Summary Online Voting
Register to Vote
All registered WSD Users (individual or company) can vote!
Short List Vote
Select and vote for your favourite entrant to be shortlisted in the Awards.
Semi-Final Vote
Vote for the sem-ifinalists to be evaluated by the expert panel of judges.
Our Voting Process
Public voting plays a key role in the World Sailing Day – 28 May Awards (WSDA). The global sailing community helps recognize outstanding contributions to safe, inclusive, and sustainable sailing.
Public voting is straightforward, secure, and open to everyone. Your participation contributes to a living record of maritime stewardship, visible on the WSDA Nautical Map.
As of February 13, 2026, entries are still open until March 31, 2026. Once the jury completes shortlisting in April, public voting for the People’s Choice will open in early May. Your vote helps highlight real achievements that strengthen the sailing ecosystem.
Voting is secure, limited to one per verified account per category, and combines with jury scores (typically 50/50 in applicable categories) for fair outcomes.
Rules for Voting
Voting in the World Sailing Day 28 May Awards (WSDA) is secure, fair, and open to the global sailing community. It uses the Award Force platform’s public voting features to ensure integrity while giving everyone a meaningful voice in recognizing excellence.
Key rules:
- One vote per sub-category per round per verified email/account.
- You may vote in multiple categories/sub-categories.
- You can change or revoke your vote at any time until the round closes (Award Force allows revocation during open voting periods).
- Votes are limited to prevent abuse (platform uses registration, rate limiting, logging, and detection tools).
- No purchase or entry fee required to vote.
- Open to anyone 18+; data protected under GDPR.
Public voting contributes to the People’s Choice recognition and is blended with expert jury scores for final results.
How your Vote counts
The final score for each entry combines independent jury evaluation with public input for balanced, credible outcomes.
Public component = cumulative score from public voting rounds (typically Rounds 3 and/or later, depending on configuration). This is a simple tally of votes per entry in the People’s Choice process.
Jury component = detailed scoring in Round 4 (or equivalent final jury stage)
The combined result is verified, audited for fairness, and officially sealed by WSDA before winners are announced. This ensures transparency and alignment with the program’s commitment to verifiable maritime excellence.
Why this matters: Your vote directly helps highlight real contributions that advance safe, inclusive, and sustainable sailing—creating a transparent public record visible on the WSDA Nautical Map.
We have 32 categories.
More than one may be interesting to you!
Voting Process
Registration is free and required for public voting on Award Force.
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The process begins with jury review and opens to public input later via Award Force.
Round 1 – Application (Open until March 31, 2026) Entrants submit dossiers. No voting yet. What you can do: Register now, and encourage eligible participants (clubs, ports, cities, individuals, companies) to enter if appropriate.
Round 2 – Short List (April 2026) Independent jury (at least 4 experts per entry, conflict checks, normalized scoring) selects the shortlist. Shortlist published early May. What you can do: Review shortlisted entries on wsda.org.
Round 3 – People’s Choice Voting (Early–mid May 2026) Public voting opens on the shortlist.
- One vote per verified account per category (configurable limits apply)
- Simple voting interface (e.g., select favorites)Vote revocation possible
- Results: simple tally for People’s Choice, weighted with jury scores What you can do: Log in, view entry cards, cast your vote before the deadline. Share the public voting link responsibly to encourage fair participation.
Round 4 – Finalists (Mid-May 2026) Jury and public results determine finalists. Announced immediately. What you can do: Check the announcement and support those advancing.
Round 5 – Winners Circle (June 26, 2026) Winners receive accreditation, certificates/seals/plaques, and 24-month Nautical Map beacons. Ceremony livestreamed worldwide. What you can do: Watch the event and stay engaged for future cycles.
Open until March 31, 2026 – Entrants submit dossiers. No voting yet. What you can do: Register now, and encourage eligible participants (clubs, ports, cities, individuals, companies) to enter if appropriate.
April 2026 – Independent jury (at least 4 experts per entry, conflict checks, normalized scoring) selects the shortlist. Shortlist published early May. What you can do: Review shortlisted entries on wsda.org.
Early–mid May 2026 – Public voting opens on the shortlist.
- One vote per verified account per category (configurable limits apply)
- Simple voting interface (e.g., select favorites)
- Vote revocation possible if needed
- Fraud prevention: registration required, rate limiting, logging, abuse detection
Results: simple tally for People’s Choice, weighted with jury scores What you can do: Log in, view entry cards, cast your vote before the deadline. Share the public voting link responsibly to encourage fair participation.
Mid-May 2026 – Jury and public results determine finalists. Announced immediately. What you can do: Check the announcement and support those advancing.
June 26, 2026 – Winners receive accreditation, certificates/seals/plaques, and 24-month Nautical Map beacons. Ceremony livestreamed worldwide. What you can do: Watch the event and stay engaged for future cycles.
Scoring
Entries are scored by a multi-disciplinary jury using WSDA’s evaluation & criteria guide.
Final results combine 50% Jury and 50% Public vote from earlier rounds.
Public component = cumulative score from Rounds 2 and 3.
Jury component = Round 4 scoring on the seven WSDA pillars (Impact, Innovation, Sustainability, Safety, DEI, Execution, Narrative).
Combined result is verified and sealed by WSDA before the announcement.
Voting Rules
These rules ensure voting is transparent, secure, and fair, in line with WSDA’s commitment to verifiable excellence.
- Vote Limits: One vote per sub-category per round per verified email/account. You can vote in multiple categories and sub-categories, but limits prevent overuse.
- Changes and Revocation: You can change or revoke your vote anytime until the round closes (via your Award Force account dashboard).
- Eligibility: Open to anyone 18+ worldwide. No purchase or affiliation required.
- Fair Play: Do not coordinate mass votes or use automated tools (bots). Violations may result in votes being voided and accounts suspended.
- Privacy: Votes are tied to verified accounts for integrity but not publicly displayed individually. Data follows GDPR standards.
- Score Integration: Public votes tally for People’s Choice and blend with jury scores (e.g., 50/50 weighting in applicable categories) across pillars like Impact, Innovation, Sustainability, Safety, DEI, Execution, and Narrative.
- Audit and Verification: All results are audited by WSDA before announcement; disputes can be raised via our contact form within 7 days of results.
These rules align with Award Force’s built-in safeguards (e.g., rate limiting, logging) to uphold the program’s credibility.
Interested in Becoming a Judge?
If you care about credibility, fairness, and long-term impact in sailing, you can apply to join the WSDA Judging Panel. Judges are selected for relevant expertise across the sailing ecosystem (clubs, athletes, events, industry, sustainability, safety, education, and media) and assess finalists using published criteria and a structured scoring system. If voting sparks your interest in deeper involvement, consider applying to join the WSDA jury. We’d be honoured to have you!
Who can apply: Experienced professionals or dedicated contributors in sailing-related fields (e.g., coaches, port operators, safety experts, sustainability practitioners, educators, cultural/heritage advocates, or media professionals). Prior WSDA voters, participants, or entrants from previous cycles are welcome.
Requirements:
- Demonstrated expertise: At least 5 years of relevant professional or volunteer experience in one or more WSDA focus areas (sailing operations, safety, sustainability, access/inclusion, culture, innovation, or community development).
- Impartiality: No conflicts of interest (e.g., no affiliation as entrant, nominee, or close associate in the current cycle). Full declaration required.
- Availability: ~10 hours during the judging period (typically April for the main review; future cycles annual). This includes scoring entries and any virtual panel discussions.
- Language: Proficient in English (all entries submitted in English).
- Commitment: Willing to uphold confidentiality, transparency, and the program’s ethical standardsrants).
Benefits:
- Help shape global sailing standards and long-term impact.
- Network with peers across clubs, ports, cities, and innovators.
- Receive official jury recognition.
- Access exclusive WSDA insights and resources.
- Voluntary/honorary role – no payment, but meaningful contribution to World Sailing Day’s UN-backed mission.
How to apply: Submit your CV, a 200-word statement on your expertise, references & confirmation of no conflicts for the upcoming cycle. to contact@worldsailingday.org.
- Apply now for the current cycle!
- Applications for the 2027 cycle open June 27, 2026 (post-ceremony).
- Selection is based on diversity, balance, and fit; all applicants notified within 30 days.
- Jury roles are voluntary and honor-based.
For questions: contact@worldsailingday.org.
Apply to become a judge!
Be part of it!
Voting & Judging Guides
These guides explain how the Awards work – from who can enter and what to submit, to how voting and judging are carried out.
They are designed to keep the process transparent, consistent, and fair across all award tracks.
The latest versions will be made available here before entries for the 2026 cycle open.
These documents will be made available for download here ahead of the first entry deadline.
Register & Vote!
We have 32 categories.
More than one may be interesting to you!
Industry facts
Sailing sits inside a vast coastal and maritime ecosystem – where participation, culture, and industry cluster around coastlines and ports. World Sailing Day exists to connect the people, partners & places within.
Frequently asked questions
Registration required; Award Force uses rate limiting, logging, and abuse detection to prevent fraud (e.g., bots, multiples). Invalid votes are removed.
Our setup follows Award Force’s recommended practices for secure, engaging public voting while staying true to World Sailing Day’s community-focused ethos. Register today so you’re ready when voting opens in May.
Yes, Award Force allows revocation during the open voting period.
hidden during voting to avoid bias or pressure, then revealed with results.
Register now & keep an eye on your email and our site/ socials; the next cycle opens in 2027 with the same secure process.
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