Dan Alonso

Dan Alonso (s/v Halcyon) – For the rescue of Jan Steyn off Solid Air in the 2013 Bermuda 1-2 Race

Who can possibly argue with the fact that Dan Alonso is thoroughly deserving of this award for his exceptionally brave and skilled rescue of Jan Steyn. His account of the ordeal in Flying Fish and elsewhere was riveting and demonstrates extraordinary seamanship under difficult conditions. We cannot think of a better example with which to launch this important new award. Well done!

Dan and his girlfriend Kathy have owned Halcyon, a Hallberg Rassy 49, for nearly four years and have covered 15,000 miles in that time – despite living in Cheyenne, Wyoming! Their first race with Halcyon was the 2011 Charleston to Bermuda Race, and their ‘summer of races’ in 2013 was Kathy’s 50th birthday present to Dan – three months aboard Halcyon, four ocean races and 3400 miles of sailing. Quite some birthday present! An ex-wrestler, Dan decided to use the races as motivation to get back into top physical condition, and to challenge himself by doing the races back to back, with the passages in between – Charleston to Bermuda, Bermuda to Newport, Newport to Bermuda, Bermuda to Newport, Newport to Marblehead, Marblehead to Halifax and Halifax to Portland, Maine. The rescue of Jan Steyn took place on the outward leg of this year’s Bermuda 1-2 Race, organised by the Newport Yacht Club.