On Saturday, March 29, the SUI Sailing Awards, which recognize the best athletes in Swiss sailing, were presented in Geneva. The ceremony was organized by the Swiss Sailing Federation and Skippers magazine and took place at Uptown Geneva in front of 200 guests.
The 2025 edition covers the years 2023 and 2024. The awards are presented by sailing fans and an expert jury. The votes determined the five winners from 15 nominees (three per category). According to Marc Oliver Knöpfel, Managing Director of Swiss Sailing, “the jury followed the public’s vote to determine the best sailors and projects”.
The Geneva circumnavigator Justine Mettraux, who now holds the women’s record at the VendĂ©e Globe, won the “Female Sailor” category. The Aargau sailor Felix Oberle, fourth in the Mini-Transat, won the “Male Sailor” category. European Champion and Vice World Champion in the 49er, SĂ©bastien Schneiter and Arno de Planta put their names on the top step of the “Sailing Team” category after an 8th place at the Olympic Games in Paris. In the “Junior Sailors” category, the Olympic Games in Los Angeles are a goal for the team of Marie Mazuay and ClĂ©ment Guignard. Finally, in the “Sailing Project” category, the Un-Regatta (Open Skiff Class) project, which enables the youngest to sail fast, wins.
Swiss Sailing and Skippers have been presenting the SUI Sailing Awards since 2008, first integrated into the SuisseNautic trade fair in Bern, then adapted in the form of a road trip during Covid. “This is the first time that Geneva has hosted the SUI Sailing Awards ceremony,” recalled Brice Lechevalier, editor of Skippers magazine. The City of Geneva was represented by Marie Barbey-Chappuis. The sponsors AON, Alpina Watches and Geneva Tourism also honored the Swiss sailing champions.
Awards such as the SUI Sailing Awards raise the level of awareness, promote the motivation of athletes and offer a unique opportunity to gain recognition. The idea of awarding nautical prizes was born in Central Switzerland in 2001. Skippers and Swiss Sailing have been presenting the SUI Sailing Awards since 2008. Initially integrated into the SwissBoat trade fair in Bern, then adapted as a road trip during Covid, this year the awards ceremony experienced its 9th edition in a festive setting in Geneva.
Skippers et Swiss Sailing