The Sail Training International Annual Awards 2026
The Tall Ships Races 2025 brought together some of the world’s most inspiring vessels, crews, volunteers and leaders in sail training. This year’s honours highlight outstanding seamanship, mentorship, innovation and dedication across the international community. Here are the official award recipients for 2025.
Best Newcomer 2025: Ortac, United Kingdom
This year’s Best Newcomer is a Class C vessel from the United Kingdom which joined the TSR2025 for the first time and made a big impression with their high standards in sail training, seamanship, and generally being a great addition to the TSR fleet. We are also very excited that she has already entered for the TSR2026, and we look forward to welcoming her to Antwerp, Stavanger and Aalborg in the summer.
Greatest Loyalty 2025: Christiania, Norway
We have so many vessels which are loyal to the TSR, who are regular participants and always a great part of the fleet, and it’s always difficult to pick a winner! This year however, the winner is a much-loved member of the fleet, which has been a regular participant in the Tall Ships Races since the 1980s.
Host Port Trophy 2025: Aberdeen, United Kingdom
The Host Port Trophy always goes to the port who through their funding and trainee marketing schemes, made it possible for the greatest number of young people to participate in the TSR. This year’s winner made it possible for 244 young people to experience a sail training voyage during the Tall Ships Races 2025 – an experience which they will never forget!
Sail Trainer of the Year 2025: Angela Morris, United Kingdom
The Sail Trainer of the Year Award recognises exceptional leadership, commitment, and inspiration at sea. This year’s recipient exemplifies all three.
Awarded to someone who has dedicated much of her life to sail training and maritime leadership, this person is a champion of youth development and a powerful role model, especially for young women discovering their potential at sea.
She is adept at encouraging and challenging young people to be the best they can be, leading with goodwill, humour and a genuine commitment to putting trainees first. Her approach creates an environment where skills are shared and confidence grows.
Already recognised by the captains of The Tall Ships Races 2025, who awarded her with the very first Aberdeen Rock Trophy. We are honoured to award, Sail Trainer of the Year Award to Angela Morris, Commanding Officer of T.S. Royalist, from the United Kingdom.
Young Sail Trainer of the Year 2025: Jakub Grubba, Poland
This year the Young Sail Trainer of the Year award goes to an outstanding young leader and role model.
Competing in The Tall Ships Races since 2017, this person has progressed from trainee, to mentor, to Captain. He demonstrates excellent creativity in his leadership, having organised various cruises and sailing voyages in his own country. He leads by example, working alongside his crew and showing that a ship’s success is always a shared success.
He has a natural sense of duty to share his knowledge and support young people in their development, keeping in touch throughout the year to mentor and inspire them both at sea and on land.
His enthusiasm, hard work and selfless attitude are a testament to his commitment to sail training.
We are proud to award Young Sail Trainer of the Year to Jakub Grubba, from Poland.
Sail Training Volunteer of the Year (Over 25): Ann Baddeley, United Kingdom
This year’s Sail Training Volunteer of the Year award goes to someone who has been a pillar of Ocean Youth Trust Scotland since 2008.
Alongside sail training onboard two vessels, this person works tirelessly throughout the year to raise funds, organise training events and raise the profile of the Trust. She has proved to be a supportive and inspirational sail trainer, leading sea voyages for young carers, those with care-experience, young people with Additional Support Needs and those recovering from cancer.
She was a driving force for Ocean Youth Trust Scotland’s involvement in Tall Ships Aberdeen, using her knowledge and understanding of what makes The Tall Ships Races a great event for the trainees. During the event, she chatted to hundreds of visitors promoting sail training and has since recruited many new people to sail, volunteer and donate beyond The Tall Ships Races.
It is with many congratulations we award Sail Training Volunteer of the Year to Ann Baddeley, from the United Kingdom.
Young Sail Training Volunteer of the Year (Under 25): Marine Sebastia, France
The Young Sail Training Volunteer of the Year award goes to a person who competed in The Tall Ships Races for the first time in 2025. She embraced the challenge with enthusiasm and curiosity, with her positive energy and passion for learning leaving a lasting impression on her mentors and peers.
Since the summer, this young person has gone on to accompany and motivate new trainees in various volunteering pursuits and has already become a source of inspiration for others. Her spark for sailing has grown into a deep commitment to give back and share her love for what sail training is: connection, reflection and growth.
For her infectious energy, kindness and growing leadership, we award Marine Sebastia, from France, Young Sail Training Volunteer of the Year.
Sail Training Organisation of the Year – Small Vessel: Sail United MTÜ, Estonia
The winner of this year’s Sail Training Organisation of the Year – Small Vessel award operates Estonia’s longest serving sail training vessel, a 40ft yacht that’s been a proud member of the sail training community since 1993.
This year, the organisation launched Attention at Sea – a sail training initiative designed specifically for young people with, or suspecting, ADHD. This adventure therapy integrates workshops with a psychologist combined with practical seamanship to explore attention management in a real-world setting.
Participants reported greater self-awareness, improved emotional regulation and a stronger sense of belonging. The programme has been celebrated for creating an environment where ADHD traits are viewed as strengths rather than obstacles.
Congratulations to Sail United MTÜ, from Estonia for your outstanding work and for setting a remarkable example in inclusive sail training.
Sail Training Organisation of the Year – Large Vessel: Stiftelsen Fullriggeren Sørlandet, Norway
This year, the Sail Training Organisation of the Year – Large Vessel award goes to a ship where heritage, education, maritime training and community come together.
This ship operates as a living classroom, welcoming 72 students from around the world to live and study at sea each year. This programme integrates the academic curriculum alongside authentic seamanship. To date, more than 500 graduates have completed the A+ World Academy programme, and over 10,000 trainees have sailed aboard.
Something equally remarkable is the ship’s commitment to community engagement. Each year, students engage in projects all over the world that support the communities they visit, from assisting food banks, to creating income-generating art, to planting food, or bringing joy to dementia patients. These encounters promote a genuine two-way impact, shaping compassionate leaders whilst contributing locally.
This year, we are proud to honour the world’s oldest fully rigged ship still sailing, Stiftelsen Fullriggeren Sørlandet, from Norway.
Lifetime Achievement Award: Peter Campbell, The Swan Trust
The Lifetime Achievement Award recognises someone whose dedication and leadership have left a lasting mark on sail training.
This person’s journey in sail training began in the early 1990s on board Swan, and he has been a driving force ever since. From serving as Secretary and Trustee of the Swan Trust, to becoming the first Secretary and later Chair of Sail Training Shetland, his commitment to youth development has spanned decades.
As a former headteacher and governance leader, he brings his passion for education to sail training. He takes a personal interest in every young person he supports, matching them to the right vessels, tracking their progress, and championing their achievements. He has raised awareness and secured funding, helping countless young people experience the life-changing benefits of sailing.
His vision, dedication, and generosity have strengthened sail training not only in Shetland but across the wider community.
For his leadership, mentorship, and lifelong commitment to empowering young people through sail training, it is a privilege to present a Lifetime Achievement Award to Peter Campbell, from The Swan Trust.
Lifetime Achievement Award 2025: Arjen Mintjes, The Netherlands
The recipient of this year’s second Lifetime Achievement Award received an impressive number of nominations and it’s difficult to know where to start.
He is passionate about empowering young people, motivating them to excel and to pursue careers in the maritime world and has dedicated his working life to doing just that.
He has a very big heart for charitable causes, nautical events and his dedication to creating opportunities for young people is truly remarkable.
As the director of the Harlingen Maritime Academy, he helped create so many opportunities for his students to appreciate and pursue maritime careers.
As a member of the Sail Harlingen board, he has been invaluable in the organisation of The Tall Ships Races Harlingen in 2014, 2018 and 2022. He also personally secured extra funding for hundreds of youngsters to allow them to participate in the Tall Ships Races on those years and in the years leading up to them.
He is a member of the Dutch coastguard and also coordinates the training of their volunteers. He is on the board of the Dutch Sea Cadets, and I could go on, but I don’t think I need to.
Following his recent retirement, there is no doubt that the world of sail training has been and continues to be extremely fortunate to have him as a much loved member.
It is an honour and a pleasure to award the Lifetime Achievement to Arjen Mintjes.
Lifetime Achievement Award 2025: Clas Jagdum, Stiftelsen Christian Radich
In recognition of his leadership, innovation, and dedication, the final winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award for 2025 goes to someone that has shaped sail training across generations.
For more than 30 years, this individual has sailed aboard one of the three iconic Norwegian Class A vessels, serving as Second Officer, First Officer, Chief Mate, and since 2001, as Captain. Over decades of service, he has become a respected leader within the international sail training community, known for advancing sail training and maritime education.
Bringing a rich background in competitive sailing, he introduced innovations to The Tall Ships Races that are now standard practice – such as the engine shutdown before race starts. His leadership has trained hundreds of crew and shaped the experience of nearly 10,000 trainees, leaving a lasting impact on those who have sailed aboard his ship.
As he approaches retirement in April 2026, we celebrate a lifetime defined by leadership, mentorship, and an unwavering belief in sail training as a force for education and inspiration.
It is with great respect and admiration that we present the Lifetime Achievement Award to Clas Jagdum, from Stiftelsen Christian Radich.
Boston Teapot Trophy 2025: A.R.A. Libertad, Argentina
The Boston Teapot Trophy, first awarded in 1964, is one of the most historic prizes in sail training, recognising outstanding performance at sea where seamanship, teamwork, and speed come together.
The trophy is awarded to the vessel that sails the greatest distance within 124 hours with a sail training crew aboard.
This year’s winner covered 985.59 nautical miles at an average speed of 7.95 knots between 6 and 11 September 2025.
The award goes to A.R.A. Libertad, from Argentina.
