The Ukrainian Opti Sailor team and their coach Pavlo Dontsov were supposed to spend a few carefree days at a training camp in Southern Europe. But when Russia under Putin invades Ukraine on 24 February 2022 and launches a murderous war, the world of the seven Opti Sailors, between the age of nine and 15, suddenly falls apart. Worries and fears for family and friends in their home country dominate the thoughts of the young sailors.

One person is always by their side and never lets them down: Pavlo Dontsov. The children’s parents ask Dontsov not to return to Ukraine with the children. So they keep training and the sport helps to clear their minds, at least for a few hours. Not only the international Opti family, but the entire sailing community supports the small group with fundraising and accommodation when they ran out of money.

"What moved me was not only his exemplary initiative and the duration of this fateful interception, but also the extreme range of support that many clubs have given to the children and Pavlo", states Jochen Rieker, publisher of YACHT.

The SEAMASTER jury, chaired by Nils Oberschelp, CEO Delius Klasing and Petros Michelidakis, Director boot Düsseldorf, sees "an example of cohesion in sport and a sign of hope in sad times.” in their reasoning for honouring Dontsov. “Pavlo Dontsov deserves the greatest respect and recognition for his courage and care in the most difficult times”.

The laudation was given by the German-Ukrainian Olympic sailor Anastasiya Winkel. She has been one of the activists who has worked in Hamburg and the surrounding area to organize help of all kinds, from medicine deliveries in private buses to accommodation for refugees. It was therefore an honour and a personal matter for her to present the award to Pavlo Dontsov.

The sailing legend Loïck Peyron, America’s Cup skipper Jimmy Spithill, the lawyer of the seas "Emily Penn" and most recently in 2020 the exceptional German sailor and Vendée Globe finalist Boris Herrmann have already been honoured with the SEAMASTER Award for their outstanding achievements in watersports. The initiators of the award are the publishing house Delius Klasing Verlag and boot Düsseldorf. The award ceremony took place during the FLAGSHIP NIGHT, the maritime gala on the opening weekend of boot Düsseldorf 2023.