Cruising Club of America’s Annual Awards Presented in New York City

Sir Robin Knox-Johnston accepts the Cruising Club of America’s Blue Water Medal. Dan Nerney/CCA

Sir Robin Knox-Johnston Highlights Impressive List of Award Recipients

New York, N.Y., USA (March 12, 2010) – On March 5, the Cruising Club of America presented its annual awards at a dinner held in New York, N.Y. at the New York Yacht Club. The Cruising Club of America is dedicated to offshore cruising, voyaging and the "adventurous use of the sea" through efforts to improve seamanship, the design of seaworthy yachts, safe yachting procedures and environmental awareness. For more information, please visit http://www.cruisingclub.org

The following awards were presented by CCA Commodore Sheila McCurdy (Middletown, R.I.):

Blue Water Medal (without date) – Awarded to Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, who flew in from China after a successful stopover for the Clipper Round the World Race in Qingdao, for a lifetime devoted to the advancement of sailing, sail training and youth development, and on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of his singlehanded, non-stop circumnavigation of the world. In the 85-year history of the CCA's Blue Water Medal only seven Medals have been awarded without date.

2009 Blue Water Medal – Awarded to Annie Hill and her husband Trevor Robertson, who flew in from New Zealand (Hill) and Chile (Robertson), to receive the award. They have logged a combined 305,000 miles of sailing. The award is given for a life of cruising that best exemplifies the objects and goals of the Cruising Club of America as stated in its Constitution.

2009 Far Horizons Award – Awarded to Lin and Larry Pardey, who also flew in from New Zealand. They have done three circumnavigations in two wooden boats they built themselves with no engines. Their books have been read by sailors around the world, and they are often referred to as "the first couple of cruising."

2009 Rod Stephens Trophy for Outstanding Seamanship – Awarded to Maurice and Sophie Conti for their brave rescue of three sailors whose boat was wrecked on a reef in the Fiji Islands. The Conti family could not attend the dinner, and accepted the award on their behalf was Kirsty Graham, Deputy Permanent Representative of the New Zealand Permanent Mission to the United Nations at Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

2009 Richard S. Nye Trophy was awarded to John Rousmaniere for bringing distinction to the Cruising Club of America as a sailor, writer and historian.

2009 Charles H. Vilas Literary Prize was given to Rich Wilson for his recent article in the Cruising Club News "Race France to France, leave Antarctica to Starboard," where he tells about his successful completion of the Vendee Globe Race at age 58.

Additional CCA member awards were presented including:

Royal Cruising Club Trophy to C. Tanner Rose Jr. for his cruise to the Faeroe Islands in Witch of Pungo

John Parkinson Memorial Trophy for Transoceanic Passage to Gregory C. Carroll for his Indian Ocean "East to West", the fourth recognition

Special Achievement Award to Eric B. Forsyth for his successful transit of the Northwest Passage, east to west in his 42' cutter, Fiona

15-Plus Thrashes to The Onion Patch to Stephen G. Kasnet and William B. Read III

Commodores Award to Arthur J. "Tuna" Wullschleger for dedication to judging regattas for over 30 years, and for contributions to the jury system and development of on-the-water umpiring

More about the CCA: Now in its 89th year, the club has 10 stations throughout the U.S., Canada and Bermuda, with approximately 1200 members who are qualified by their experience in offshore passage making. In even-numbered years, the CCA organizes the Newport to Bermuda Race in conjunction with the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club. It also sponsors several Safety at Sea seminars and hosts a series of "Suddenly Alone" seminars for the cruising couple. www.cruisingclub.org

Information from Cruising Club of America