world sailing day – 28 May awards
The Jury & Process
The World Sailing Day – 28 May Awards are decided by an independent international jury alongside the wider sailing community via online voting. This page explains how the jury is formed, how entries are evaluated, and how we ensure a transparent and fair result.
Round 1 – Application
Clubs, companies, cities, events and individuals submit their entries online.
The organisers review each entry for completeness, eligibility and fit with the chosen category. Entries may be reassigned to a better-fitting category if needed.
Round 2 – Shortlist
Eligible entries are published on the voting platform.
The public votes for the projects, people and organisations that inspire them most.
Results from this round create a Shortlist in each category
Round 3 – Semi-Final
Public voting continues on the Shortlisted entries.
Votes from Rounds 2 and 3 are combined to form the public score for each entry and determine the Finalists in every category.
Round 4 – Final
The WSDA Jury reviews all Finalists using clear scoring criteria such as impact, innovation, seamanship, sustainability and inclusion.
The Jury decision, together with the public score, determines the Winners, announced at the World Sailing Day celebration.
KEY DATES
ENTRIES OPEN & CLOSE
Open Date: 31/07/26
Close Date: 20/01/27
SEMI-FINAL DATE
Online Voting Start: 19/02/27
Online Voting Close: 26/02/27
Announced: 01/03/27
SHORTLIST DATE
Online Voting Start: 19/03/27
Online Voting Close: 26/03/27
Announced: 02/04/27
FINAL DATE
Judges Voting Start: 16/04/27
Judges Voting Close: 23/04/27
Announced: 30/04/27
KEY INFO
Public Voting
Public voting allows sailors, fans and local communities to support the entries they believe deserve recognition.
The public score is a key input in deciding the Finalists and is considered by the Jury when selecting Winners.
Fraud checks and basic verification tools are used to keep the vote fair for everyone.
Jury Voting
The WSDA Jury consists of recognised experts from across the sailing world – including clubs, manufacturers, events, athletes and media.
They use a structured scoring system and written criteria to assess each Finalist.
Jury members must declare any conflicts of interest and will not score entries where a conflict exists.
Their role is to provide an experienced, independent view of quality and long-term impact.
Fair Voting Rules
One vote per verified email address per category in each public round.
No purchase or payment is required to vote.
Email verification and fraud checks (IP/device patterns, abnormal volumes) are used to protect fairness.
Votes linked to hate speech, harassment or illegal activity will be removed under WSDA policy.
Scoring & Voting
Entries are scored by a multi-disciplinary jury using WSDA’s seven evaluation pillars.
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.
One vote per verified email per round and per category.
Email verification and fraud checks (IP/device) protect fairness.
Votes promoting hate or harassment will be removed per WSDA policy.
Public voting is protected through email verification and fraud checks designed to detect abnormal patterns and suppress manipulation. WSDA’s Audit Group verifies the combined results before they are sealed for announcement.
Every entry is judged within its category using the same published criteria, and conflicts of interest are declared and enforced.
Sponsors do not influence voting, judging, or outcomes.
Download the full Info Kits!
What Judges Look For
All entries are evaluated on seven pillars:
Impact on Sailing – reach, measurable outcomes, and long-term value
Innovation & Advancement – new ideas, methods, technologies, or artistic expression.
Sustainability & Access – environmental care, affordability, and inclusion.
Safety & Stewardship – ethics, safety practices, and responsible management.
Diversity & Inclusion – representation, equity, and accessibility.
Execution & Evidence – quality of delivery and documented proof.
Public Engagement & Narrative – communication, storytelling, and educational value.
Weighting varies by track – for example, Innovation carries the highest weight for Companies, Impact
for Individuals and Clubs, and Sustainability & Access for Cities & Ports.
Independent jury & oversight
A multi-disciplinary jury evaluates entries using the WSDA criteria.
Oversight comes from the WSDA Board of Directors and an independent Audit Group, which verifies combined results before they are sealed and announced.
Judge code of conduct
Judges follow a strict confidentiality agreement.
Any conflicts of interest must be declared; judges can be recused from specific entries.
All official communication goes via awards@worldsailingday.org – judges never contact entrants directly.
Access is via a secure platform with two-step verification, and files must be deleted within 24 hours after judging.
The Awards Gala – London 2026
The inaugural World Sailing Day 28 May Awards Gala will be
held in London on 28 May 2026.
The evening begins with a waterfront reception
beside the legendary yacht Gipsy Moth IV at St
Katharine Docks, followed by a formal prizegiving
ceremony and gala dinner hosted at the Royal
Thames Yacht Club.
Finalists, partners, media and guests come together
for a night that blends maritime heritage with
contemporary innovation – celebrating those who
are shaping the future of sailing.
The Judges Panel
The WSDA Judging Panel brings together experienced voices from clubs, manufacturers, events, athletes, sustainability, safety and sailing media.
Their combined expertise ensures that entries are assessed from multiple angles – performance on the water, impact on people, and contribution to the future of sailing.
Judge 1
to be announced
Judge 2
to be announced
Judge 3
to be announced
Judge 4
to be announced
Judge 5
to be announced
Judge 6
to be announced
Judge 7
to be announced
Judge 8
to be announced
Judge 9
to be announced
Judge 10
to be announced
Judge 11
to be announced
Judge 12
to be announced
Apply to become a Judge!
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.
Be part of it!
Entry, 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.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. You can cast one vote per category in each public round.
Yes. You may edit your vote any time until the round closes.
No. The Jury selects Finalists in April and confirms Winners in May based on the combined public + jury scores.
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Sponsored by Sailing Miles
We are proud to partner with Sailing Miles as the official sponsor of the World Sailing Day | May 28 Awards, helping to support and elevate the global sailing community.
