World Sailing has announced the finalists for this year’s World Sailing Awards — and Ireland’s Headcase crew are in the running for Team of the Year.
Other finalists include the America’s Cup winners, multi-time offshore champions, world champions, trailblazers and organisations committed to making a difference to the global sailing community.
The nomination caps off a standout season for the amateur crew, who captured National, European, and World Championship titles in 2025, a remarkable achievement that has placed them among the elite in international sailing.
Fresh from their latest victory at the Irish Sailing Keelboat Champions’ Cup last weekend, the Headcase crew represents clubs from across Ireland. The team includes skipper Cillian Dickson of Lough Ree Yacht Club, Ryan Glynn of Ballyholme Yacht Club, Sam O’Byrne of Howth Yacht Club, and Louis Molloy and Marcus Ryan, both of Mayo Sailing Club.
Speaking on the nomination, skipper Cillian Dickson said. “This is just an incredible position to be in. We can’t believe it. We’ve had an unbelievable year, Europeans, Worlds, and now this. It’s the stuff of dreams, really.”
Each finalist impressed the judging panel with their achievements over the past year.
Voting for all World Sailing Awards opened on Friday 17 October, with categories for male and female Rolex World Sailor of the Year, male and female Kuehne+Nagel Young World Sailor of the Year, 11th Hour Racing Impact Award and Team of the Year.
Everyone who loves sailing is invited to help decide the winners before voting closes at 11pm UTC on Sunday 26 October.
The public vote will make up 50 per cent of the final decisions, with the other half contributed by World Sailing’s expert panels.
This year’s awards will be announced at a live ceremony in Dublin on Wednesday 5 November, at the Royal St George Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire, where the President’s Development Award, Beppe Croce Trophy and World Sailing Technology Award will also be presented.
