The pair’s success marks New Zealand’s fourth consecutive Olympic medal in the men’s skiff, following the legacy of Peter Burling and Blair Tuke. The Sir Bernard Ferguson Trophy now belongs to the “McKiwis,” as they’re fondly known, honouring their dedication, skill, and teamwork.
Olympic Stars Shine Bright
The awards night was a showcase of Olympic talent, with Micah Wilkinson and Erica Dawson, the Nacra 17 bronze medallists, earning the Barfoot & Thompson Male and Female Sailor of the Year titles. Their dramatic finish in Marseille captivated the nation and further solidified their status as one of New Zealand’s premier mixed multihull teams.
McHardie, McKenzie, Wilkinson, and Dawson were also recipients of Performance Awards, alongside other Olympians including Jo Aleh and Molly Meech (49erFX), Josh Armit and Veerle ten Have (windfoiling), and Tom Saunders (ILCA 7).
“These awards are a wonderful reward for the commitment, dedication, and attention to detail shown by these sailors,” said Yachting New Zealand CEO David Abercrombie. “It’s encouraging to see the depth of talent emerging in this Olympic cycle as we look ahead to Los Angeles 2028 and Brisbane 2032.”
Recognising Coaches and Rising Stars
Behind every great sailor is a dedicated coach, and Matt Steven, coach of McHardie and McKenzie, was recognised as B&G Performance Coach of the Year. Wade Tresadern was also celebrated as Yachting New Zealand Emerging Coach of the Year, underscoring the importance of mentorship in the sport’s ongoing success.
- Advertisement -
On the youth stage, Greta Pilkington, who made her Olympic debut in Marseille, was named NZL Sailing Foundation Young Female Sailor of the Year. The Young Male Sailor of the Year award went to Joe Leith and Josh Ferrissey, who claimed bronze at the 420 world championships in Brazil.
Honouring the Foundations of the Sport
While the night celebrated high-performance athletes, it also paid tribute to the volunteers and club members who form the backbone of New Zealand sailing. The Service Awards, supported by Yamaha Motor New Zealand, highlighted the efforts of individuals from clubs across the country, from Macandrew Bay Boating Club to Gulf Harbour Yacht Club.
Abercrombie praised the unsung heroes of the sport, saying:
“The Barfoot & Thompson Yachting Excellence Awards are more than just about high-performance sailing – they’re about acknowledging the selfless work, dedication, and resilience of our club members and volunteers. They remain the heart of what makes sailing such a valued sport in New Zealand.”
A Night of Special Tributes
The evening featured a moving tribute to Emirates Team New Zealand’s historic three-peat at the 37th America’s Cup, a victory that stands outside the eligibility period for this year’s awards but remains a point of national pride. Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei was also recognised with an Outstanding Contribution Award for their support of the team’s campaign.
Celebrating Excellence Across All Levels
Other notable award winners included Jamie Sutherland, who received the Millennium Hotels and Resorts Official of the Year Award, and Matteo Barker and Chloe Turner, who were honoured with Aon Emerging Talent awards. The North Sails Sportsmanship Award went to Flying Fifteen New Zealand, while James Swinney earned the MAST Academy NZ Young Leadership Award.
The evening also recognised sustainability efforts, with Sheryl Lanigan receiving the Evocean Sustainability Award, and cruising achievements, with Don Salthouse from the Opua Cruising Club earning the Cruising Award supported by Kiwi Yachting and Baltic.
Looking Ahead
With Olympic success fresh in the minds of the audience, the 2024 Barfoot & Thompson Yachting Excellence Awards not only celebrated the achievements of the past year but also looked ahead to the future. The strong performances across youth, Olympic, and grassroots levels signal a bright horizon for New Zealand sailing.
Full List Of Award Winners
2024 Barfoot & Thompson Yachting Excellence Awards
Orbit World Travel Sailor of the Year
Isaac McHardie and William McKenzie
Barfoot & Thompson Female Sailor of the Year
Erica Dawson
Barfoot & Thompson Male Sailor of the Year
Micah Wilkinson
NZL Sailing Foundation Young Female Sailor of the Year
Greta Pilkington
NZL Sailing Foundation Young Male Sailor of the Year
Joe Leith and Josh Ferrissey
Aon Emerging Talent Award
Matteo Barker, Chloe Turner
Millennium Hotels and Resorts Official of the Year
Jamie Sutherland
B&G Performance Coach of the Year
Matt Steven
Yachting New Zealand Emerging Coach of the Year
Wade Tresadern
Lawson’s Dry Hills Outstanding Contribution Award
Gary Smith
Evocean Sustainability Award
Sheryl Lanigan
North Sails Sportsmanship Award
Flying Fifteen New Zealand
MAST Academy NZ Young Leadership Award
James Swinney
Service Awards supported by Yamaha Motor New Zealand
Hayden Bell (Macandrew Bay Boating Club)
Warren Collingwood and Murray McDonald (Waimakariri Sailing Club)
Delwyn Erceg (Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron)
Peter Ganley (Thames Sailing Club)
Ross Hebner (Bucklands Beach Yacht Club)
Mike Leyland (Young 88 Owners Association)
Mervyn Read (Vauxhall Yacht Club)
Alison Rutherford (Pleasant Point Yacht Club)
Joyce Talbot (Auckland Anniversary Regatta)
Gill Waite (Gulf Harbour Yacht Club)
Gordon Wallis (Ngaroto Sailing Club)
Cruising Award supported by Kiwi Yachting and Baltic
Don Salthouse (Opua Cruising Club)
Performance Awards supported by Radix Nutrition
Jo Aleh and Molly Meech (Torbay Sailing Club)
Josh Armit (Wakatere Boating Club)
Francesco Kayrouz (Torbay Sailing Club) and Hamish McLaren (Royal Akarana Yacht Club)
Eli Liefting (Royal Akarana Yacht Club)
Isaac McHardie and Will McKenzie (Torbay Sailing Club)
Tom Saunders (Tauranga Yacht and Powerboat Club)
Sam Street (New Plymouth Yacht Club)
Veerle ten Have (Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron)
Megan Thomson (Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron)
Micah Wilkinson (Ngaroto Sailing Club) and Erica Dawson (Murrays Bay Sailing Club)
Youth Performance Awards supported by Andoo
Caleb Armit (Murrays Bay Sailing Club)
Ewan Brazle (Manly Sailing Club)
Will Leech (Charteris Bay Yacht Club) and Sean Kensington (Kohimarama Yacht Club)
Joe Leith and Josh Ferrissey (Murrays Bay Sailing Club)
Seb Menzies (Murrays Bay Sailing Club) and George Lee Rush (Wakatere Boating Club)
Greta Pilkington (Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron)
Helena Sanderson (Wakatere Boating Club)
Zach Stibbe (Otago Yacht Club)
Zofia Wells (Glendowie Boating Club)
Westlake Girls High School Sailing Team
Hashtags:
#YachtingNZ #SailingExcellence #KiwiSailing #OlympicSailing #NZLTeam #SailingAwards #YachtingCommunity #SailingLife #GrassrootsToGold
