A dream come true for Keiran from Aberdeen; Winner of the 2025 Torbay Cup.
Huge congratulations to Keiran Side from Aberdeen, who is the winner of this year’s 2025 Torbay Cup. He was nominated by his captain; Robert Postuma for his outstanding contribution and personal achievement during his time onboard Gulden Leeuw on Race leg 2 from Dunkirk to Aberdeen, during The Tall Ships Race 2025.
Keiran was awarded his trophy and given a 500 Euro bursary from Sail Training International towards a future sail training voyage, by Sail Training International’s Deputy Race Director; Ian Lerner, during an award presentation in Aberdeen on Tuesday afternoon.
He was joined by the Sail Training International team, alongside Robert Postuma, Captain of Gulden Leeuw and representatives from Windseeker, along with The Tall Ships Races 2025 Aberdeen team, all of whom gathered to celebrate Keiran’s remarkable achievement.
ABERDEEN, SCOTLAND, SEPTEMBER 16 2025 Tall Ships trophy presentation Photo by Ross Johnston/Newsline Media
Captain Robert Postuma had these words to say regarding Keiran’s nomination and award:
“Keiran arrived on the ship and it was immediately evident that he had a rare combination of special talents. This was his first time onboard a boat, being at sea and working and socialising with unfamiliar people; a world away from his day to day in Aberdeen.
When he first joined us he was fearful of being socially awkward and not fitting in with the other trainees but he overcame that by immersing himself in the sailing experience, asking lots of questions and fully embracing the world of ocean going Tall Ships.
His fellow trainees and crew embraced the challenge of answering the many questions he asked, and that quite frankly nobody had thought to ask before. His photographic memory and his ability to retain everything he learnt revealed itself gradually during the voyage, as he evolved himself from someone who felt socially awkward, to a valuable member of the team, who was a fountain of knowledge. Knowledge which he imparted to fellow trainees.
At the end of the voyage he had won over the hearts and minds of all onboard.
He’s made an outstanding contribution to the team and is an example to others on how to overcome personal challenges. His personal progress whilst onboard has been remarkable and he leaves the ship, smarter, stronger and happier.”
We at Sail Training International couldn’t be prouder of Keiran’s achievements and we look forward to welcoming him again to The Tall Ships Races 2026 next summer.
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