US Sailing announces winners of 2025 US Sailing Awards
by US Sailing 13 Feb 14:54 PST
Jim Capron, left, with trophy presenter and US Sailing Board President Henry Brauer © Lexi Pline / US Sailing
US Sailing is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 Nathanael G. Herreshoff Trophy and the Kevin Burnham Memorial Award, which were presented at the New York Yacht Club Champion's Dinner in New York City, as well as the Harman Hawkins Trophy, presented at the California Dreamin' Series at Balboa Yacht Club.
These awards honor individuals and organizations who have made remarkable contributions to the sport of sailing through leadership, service, and excellence.
Nathanael G. Herreshoff Trophy
The Nathanael G. Herreshoff Trophy is US Sailing's most prestigious award. Donated in 1957 by the National Marine Manufacturer's Association, it is awarded annually to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the sport of sailing in this country in any associated activity. This year's recipient, Jim Capron, has certainly done that: his resume of judging and umpiring includes the sport's premier events: America's Cup, The Ocean Race, and Olympic Games.
Since the 1990's, Capron has served on international juries and umpiring teams at many of the sport's most prestigious events, including World Championships, The Ocean Race, Louis Vuitton Cup, ISAF World Sailing Games, and the Olympic Games in Sydney (2000) and London (2012). Known for his sharp intellect, calm judgment, and meticulous understanding of The Racing Rules of Sailing, Capron's influence extended across continents, even if he remained famously understated in documenting his own achievements.
Capron began his racing career in Annapolis in the 1980s, sailing J/24s and Lightnings, and embodied the Severn Sailing Association's culture of service by devoting countless hours as a race official, often serving as chief judge for major regattas. After joining the Annapolis Yacht Club in 1991, his expertise quickly elevated the club's judging standards, playing a key role in world-class events such as the J/22 and Star World Championships and other signature regattas.
Off the water, Jim's impact has been equally profound. He chaired the US Sailing Judges Committee, helping to create foundational judge education and certification programs, served on the Appeals, Race Administration, Olympic Sailing, and Racing Rules Committees, and spent nearly two decades as a US Sailing Delegate to World Sailing. As President of US Sailing from 2007 to 2009 and later recognized as a Counselor of Honor, Jim combined leadership with mentorship, fostering thoughtful, civil discussion and shaping the evolution of the racing rules themselves.
Kevin Burnham Memorial Award
The Kevin Burnham Memorial Award is given annually to a competitor (or team of competitors) who best exemplifies Kevin's spirit and embodies these characteristics: passion, perseverance, persistence, sportsmanship on and off the water, love of the sport and love of his/her competitors. The award is open to sailors who compete or previously competed in Olympic classes and/or the Olympic Development Program. This year's recipient, Magnus Liljedahl, is a legend in the US Sailing Community. Born in Sweden but competing for the United States, Liljedahl is the 2000 Olympic Gold Medalist in the Star Class with Mark Reynolds. Together they also won the World Championship in the Star in 2000 and were voted the Rolex Yachtsmen of the Year and ISAF Sailors of the Year. Liljedahl was a three-time North American Champion in the Star and a three-time European Champion.
Besides being a world class competitor, Liljedahl has spent his life giving back to the sport. He is the Executive Director of Team Paradise, a sailing center in Miami, Florida dedicated to changing lives by inspiring and empowering all sailors, including disabled and under-resourced communities, US Veterans, and others through recreational, educational, and healing programs that motivate and engage participants in the sport of sailing.
Team Paradise is a US Sailing Accredited Community Sailing Center and Accredited Keelboat School and provides recreational sailing, therapeutic sailing, STEM education, casual bay excursions, and corporate team building events. It is a unique sailing organization that provides opportunities and education for everyone at all levels of ability: youth and adults, beginner to advanced.
Harman Hawkins Trophy
The Harman Hawkins Trophy is awarded annually to an individual who has made outstanding contributions over a period to the sport of sailing in the field of Race Administration (Judging, Race Management, Umpires, Appeals, Racing Rules, Classification and Measurement and Equipment Inspection). This year's recipient Don Becker is honored not only for his pivotal role in developing judging and umpiring volunteers across numerous clubs, but for being one of the most accomplished and respected Race Officials in the United States.
Becker has served as a Judge, Umpire, or Race Officer at more than 650 regattas since 2000, frequently in the role of Chief Judge or Chief Umpire. As an umpire, his experience includes the Youth Match Racing World Championship, World Match Racing Tour, ISAF World Team Racing Championship, and the International 14 Team Racing World Championship.
An International Judge since 2001 and an International Umpire since 2004, Becker is one of just 10 Regional Race Officers in Southern California. His résumé includes service as Chief Judge for the 2015 Special Olympics World Sailing Games in Long Beach and participation as Chief Judge or International Jury member at numerous World Championships, including the 29er, 6 Metre, B14, Etchells, Formula 18, International 14, International Moth, International One Design, International One Metre, J/24, Melges 24, Musto Skiff, and Viper 640 classes.
Throughout his extensive career, Becker has been known for his calm, professional demeanor and collaborative leadership. Recognizing that officiating is a team effort, his knowledge, experience, and steady presence have elevated the standard of race management and protest resolution throughout the sport. His contributions on the racecourse and in the protest room have helped define the level of officiating now expected and appreciated in sailing.