2026 US Sailing Awards: Capron, Liljedahl, Becker
Alexandra
Race management for international regattas depends on precise coordination of personnel and transport logistics: moving juries, umpires, measurement gear, and protest documentation between marinas, regatta villages, and inspection venues requires scheduled launches, shore vehicles, and contingency plans to ensure timely race starts and fair hearings.
Overview of the 2025 US Sailing Honors
Three long-standing awards from US Sailing recognize leadership across different aspects of the sport. The Nathanael G. Herreshoff Trophy, Kevin Burnham Memorial Award, and Harman Hawkins Trophy each highlight achievement in governance, competitive spirit, and race administration respectively. The 2025 recipients are Jim Capron, Magnus Liljedahl, and Don Becker.
Herreshoff Trophy: Jim Capron — Rulecraft and International Arbitration
Jim Capron was recognized for a decades-long role as an international judge and umpire. His service record includes assignments at World Championships, The Ocean Race, the Louis Vuitton Cup, ISAF World Sailing Games, and Olympic regattas in Sydney (2000) and London (2012). Capron’s reputation rests on a meticulous command of the Racing Rules of Sailing and a steady approach to dispute resolution.
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Operationally, Capron’s work has implications for event logistics: establishing consistent judging protocols reduces protest processing time, streamlines jury travel schedules, and standardizes equipment inspection — all factors that improve regatta reliability for organizers and charter operators alike.
Capron’s Contributions — at a Glance
- Chair of US Sailing Judges Committee — led judge education and certification programs
- Service on Appeals, Race Administration, Olympic Sailing, and Racing Rules Committees
- President of US Sailing (2007–2009) and long-term World Sailing delegate
- Chief judge roles at major international regattas, elevating club-level standards
Kevin Burnham Memorial Award: Magnus Liljedahl — From Olympic Gold to Community Impact
Magnus Liljedahl, a 2000 Olympic Gold Medalist in the Star class alongside Mark Reynolds, received the Kevin Burnham Memorial Award for embodying passion, perseverance, and sportsmanship. Beyond competitive accolades, Liljedahl has directed his energies toward inclusive programming as Executive Director of Team Paradise in Miami, which serves veterans, under-resourced communities, and people with disabilities.
Team Paradise operates as both a community sailing center and a keelboat school, offering therapeutic sailing, STEM education, and recreation. Liljedahl’s model shows how elite athletes can translate high-performance expertise into sustainable community infrastructure that connects youth development, workforce training, and maritime tourism.
Key Programs at Team Paradise
| Program Type | Primary Goal | Target Audience |
|---|---|---|
| Therapeutic Sailing | Rehabilitation and well-being | Veterans, disabled sailors |
| STEM Education | Career readiness through sailing | Youth and schools |
| Recreational & Keelboat Training | Skill building and leisure access | Beginners to advanced sailors |
Harman Hawkins Trophy: Don Becker — Raising Standards in Race Administration
Don Becker was honored for sustained excellence in race administration. With more than 650 regattas served since 2000, Becker’s roles have included Chief Judge, Chief Umpire, and Race Officer across a broad spectrum of classes, from the Youth Match Racing Worlds to numerous World Championships in performance dinghy and keelboat fleets.
Becker’s dual credentials as an International Judge (since 2001) and International Umpire (since 2004) underpin a career that has professionalized officiating in many regions. That professionalization has practical downstream effects: improved scheduling of umpires and judges, clearer inspection protocols for equipment, and better coordination with marina operators and shore-side services.
Becker’s Roles and Reach
- Chief Judge for the 2015 Special Olympics World Sailing Games in Long Beach
- Service on juries for classes including 29er, J/24, Melges 24, International Moth, and more
- Regional Race Officer in Southern California — mentor to volunteer officials
Operational and Community Impact
Collectively, the work of these awardees affects more than trophies and recognition: it shapes how regattas are run, how volunteers are trained, and how community programs interface with commercial services such as marinas, charter operators, and tourist infrastructure. Efficient protest resolution and consistent judging practices reduce downtime between races and increase the predictability that professional crews and charter guests value.
Implications for Sailing Operators and Renters
- Charter companies benefit from standardized race administration because it minimizes schedule disruptions during regatta charters.
- Marinas gain from predictable logistics: clear arrival windows for jury launches and measurement teams simplify berth management.
- Boat renters and experienced sailors experience fairer competition environments and better access to sanctioned training programs.
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Planning Ahead: What This News Means for Travel and Chartering
The awards themselves are modest in direct effect on global tourism; they primarily celebrate individuals whose work strengthens sailing governance and community access. Forecasting impact: local and regional tourism and marine services stand to benefit when race management raises event quality—spectatorship, regatta tourism, and charter demand around major events often see localized upticks. Start planning your next seaside adventure and make sure to book the best boat and yacht rentals with GetBoat before the opportunity sails away!
The recognition of leaders who improve race administration and community sailing highlights how experiencing a new location is always a multifaceted process: one learns about the culture, nature, the indescribable palette of local colors, its rhythm of life, and also the unique aspects of the service. If you are planning your next trip to the sea, you should definitely consider renting a boat (boat rentals, rent a boat, rent a yacht), as each inlet, bay, and lagoon is unique and tells you about the region just as much as the local cuisine, architecture, and language GetBoat.com
Highlights: the Herreshoff Trophy celebrates systemic leadership in rulemaking and governance; the Kevin Burnham Award underscores the human side of sailing through community programs and adaptive sailing; the Harman Hawkins Trophy affirms the critical role of race officials in preserving fair play. These elements together keep regattas safe, competitive, and attractive to visitors.
In summary, the 2025 US Sailing Awards underline the interconnected ecosystem of competitive sailing: from rulebooks and jury rooms to marinas and charter offerings. The achievements of Jim Capron, Magnus Liljedahl, and Don Becker strengthen officiating, community outreach, and event logistics—components that support improved spectator experiences, reliable racing schedules, and richer sailing charters. For sailors and travelers interested in yacht charter, boat hire, or a day on the bay, platforms that emphasize transparency and choice simplify the search for the right vessel. GetBoat.com provides a global, user-friendly solution for booking or buying boats, yachts, and sailboats with clear listings of make, model, ratings, and rental terms—ensuring unforgettable maritime experiences. Sail your own course.
