The Cruising Club of America (CCA) has announced that Kristen Neuschäfer of Port Elizabeth, South Africa, is the recipient of the Blue Water Medal for 2023. According to CCA, the award recognizes her unwavering spirit and skills demonstrated during her 235-day solo circumnavigation in Minnehaha, a Cape George 36 sailboat, during the Golden Globe Race. The race had 17 entrants, and Neuschäfer was among the only three that finished. She became the first woman to complete the race, to win the race, and to win any singlehanded race around the world.

The Blue Water Medal has been awarded by the CCA for a hundred years to “reward examples of meritorious seamanship and adventure upon the sea, displayed by amateur sailors of all nationalities…” Past winners include Sir Robin Knox-Johnston and Jean Luc Van Den Heede.

During the race, Neuschäfer demonstrated grit and true seamanship when she stopped racing to rescue a competitor, Tapio Lehtinen, after his boat sank. She helped him board a passing ship and then continued the race. This earned her the 2023 Rod Stephens Seamanship Trophy.

The CCA also awarded Max Campbell with the Young Voyager Award, which recognizes “a young sailor who has made one or more exceptional voyages.” Campbell set sail eight years ago and is now halfway around the world aboard Elixir, his 37-foot Swan.

“Max’s achievements are a perfect example of the spirit within the CCA where we find fulfillment in ‘exploring’ the oceans and our own inner-limits aboard small boats at sea,” said CCA Commodore Chris Otorowski.

Campbell has gone through a series of trials while at sea such as a galley fire that almost killed him, being boarded by armed men off Venezuela, and being arrested and put in jail in Mexico. Even still, he maintains that he loves the cruising lifestyle.

“It is the people that make it special, that make it interesting,” Campbell said. “The experience of offshore sailing will always be better shared. I’ve seen cruising and offshore sailing change the lives of a handful of people, and I find it incredibly rewarding.”

The CCA announced three other awards:

Paul Bieker: Diana Russell Award

Bieker of Anacortes, Washington, was awarded the 2023 Diana Russell Award, recognizing his innovation in sailing design, methodology, education, training, safety and adventure at sea. Russell optimized designs under the IOR handicap rule and was the longtime president of the design think tank Wing Systems.

Maxwell Fletcher: Far Horizons Award

The award granted to Fletcher of Orr’s Island, Maine, recognizes achievements of a member who has embarked upon a cruise or series of cruises that demonstrate the broader objectives of the Club including the adventurous use of the sea.

Ralph Naranjo: Richard S. Nye Award

The Richard S. Nye Award for 2023 was given to Naranjo of Annapolis, Maryland for his outstanding contributions to the Cruising Club of America and the international sailing community. The award was created to honor the late CCA commodore. Naranjo is known for his leadership, seamanship and safety at sea in the yachting community.