When Keiran Side signed up to be part of The Tall Ships Races Aberdeen 2025, little did he suspect he would be crowned “the most outstanding sail trainee in the world”.
But the 21-year-old from Aberdeen has won the prestigious Torbay Cup, awarded annually to the Sail Trainee who has demonstrated outstanding individual achievement and personal effort in a Tall Ships Race.
Keiran scooped the award ahead of 5,700 trainees from around the globe who took part in the 2025 Tall Ships Races, including 244 from Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.
He spoke of his pride at his achievement – all the more impressive as he has additional support needs - and how much being part of the Tall Ships Races meant to him as he was presented with the trophy by Sail Training International, who organise the Tall Ships Races.
“I feel brilliant and very proud,” said Keiran, during the presentation lunch at Port of Aberdeen’s Marine Operations Centre. “The best part of my experience was learning that I could do more things than I thought I could.”
The Torbay Cup also includes a 500 Euros bursary to sail in another Tall Ships Races event. Keiran – who has had a lifelong passion for boats and water sports - hopes it will help him achieve his ultimate ambition of sailing around the world.
“I want to learn to drive a cruise ship safely, be a cruise captain and keep everyone safe at sea,” said Keiran, who through volunteering - including at a local hospice - and further education, has built self-esteem, skills, and achievements including the Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award.
Keiran sailed with the Gulden Leeuw on the Dunkirk to Aberdeen leg of the Tall Ships Races and was nominated for the Torbay Cup by the ship’s captain, Robert Postuma.
He said: “Keiran made an outstanding contribution and set a positive example to others on how to overcome personal challenges.
“His curiosity, enthusiasm, and humour inspired his fellow trainees, and by the end he had earned the respect and admiration of everyone on board. Remarkable would be an understatement.
Ian Lerner, assistant race director with Sail Training International, attended the trophy presentation and said he was delighted by Keiran’s outstanding achievement.
“It is a really big accolade when you consider that we have more than 5,000 trainees that come to the Tall Ships Race for a race series. The captain was really enthusiastic about Keiran’s contribution and I think he’s done exceptionally well to get this honour,” he said.
Ian said that the Tall Ships Races had ships from around the globe, including Europe and South America, making it a truly international event which has giving life-changing opportunities to young people at its heart.
“When you think about it, at this moment Keiran is the most outstanding trainee in the world and that’s quite an achievement,” he said,
Also joining in the celebrations for Keiran was Emma Wadee, Aberdeen City Council’s project manager for the Tall Ships Races Aberdeen 2025, which was delivered in a partnership between Aberdeen City Council, Port of Aberdeen and Aberdeen Inspired.
Emma said: “We are unbelievably proud of all the Aberdeen sail trainees and in particular Keiran and this incredible accomplishment.
“The involvement of young people is my absolute favourite part of the Tall Ships Races. We had 244 trainees from Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire go and take part in this incredible event and they had just a brilliant adventure.”
