Each year, the Ocean Cruising Club (OCC) recognizes the outstanding achievements of bluewater sailors and brings those achievements to the attention of the sailing community at large. This year’s winners represent a diverse group of sailors scattered around the earth’s oceans. They were selected from a rich pool of candidates, indicating that many adventurous sailors continue to tackle new frontiers.
The recipient of the OCC’s premiere award for members, the Barton Cup, for 2015 is Michael Johnson of s/v Gitana, for his successful two-year transit of the Northwest Passage. Sailing from the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia to Nome, AK, this passage took place in a period that was particularly challenging due to ice conditions when many vessels attempting the Passage turned back. Michael is a prior recipient of the Barton Cup (1990) for his engineless east-west rounding of Cape Horn in 85 days.
Among other awards given are the OCC Award, which goes to Tom and Vicky Jackson s/v Sunstone for their many cruising and racing achievements, amounting to 34 years and almost 200,000 nautical miles aboard their 40-foot Sparkman & Stephens designed, almost 50-year old sloop. They were recognized in 2007 with the OCC Barton Cup for their 80,000 mile circumnavigation, which included rounding of the five great capes. They have also just been named as recipients of the Cruising Club of America’s Blue Water Medal.
If you are a bluewater sailor or hope to be one, visit oceancruisingclub.org to learn more.
