Two Australian Sailing Team stars reclaimed their titles as the best in the land at this year's Australian Sailing Awards.

Matt Wearn OAM won Male Sailor of the Year for the first time since 2018 and ILCA 6 athlete Mara Stransky won her second consecutive Female Sailor of the Year Award.

Tokyo Olympic ILCA 7 champion Wearn overcame a 2022 season plagued by long COVID to reassert himself at the top of the hugely competitive class.

He won a Bronze at the European Championships before going on to win the Olympic Test Event in Marseille after a stunning victory in the Medal Race.

Matt Wearn OAM CREDIT Gregg Porteous

“I’m just ecstatic,” said Wearn after the announcement.

“I dealt with a bit of adversity last year which was tough. It was a bit of a hard time, so to bounce back as the best sailor in Australia is fantastic. I’m now just really looking forward to the next 12 months.”

Stransky put together her most consistent season to date, collecting 18 race podiums in her wake. She notched top fifteen results at the 2022 European and World Championships before top ten finishes at the European Championships and Trofeo Princesa Sofía in 2023.

Mara Stransky and Matt Wearn OAM CREDIT Gregg Porteous

The Queensland sailor pointed to her teammates after accepting the Award, after she beat out fellow Australian Sailing Team ILCA 6 athletes Casey Imeneo and Zoe Thomson for the award.

“It was super special to be named as a Finalist with my two teammates Zoe and Casey,” said Stransky.

“Having Elise here would have completed the night. I’m proud to be doing what I love with people I love spending time with. It’s why I am enjoying sailing as much as I am.”

Mara Stransky CREDIT Gregg Porteous

Click here to see a full List of Award Winners from the night.