The “Jester” Medal is awarded annually by a committee of the Ocean Cruising Club for an outstanding contribution to the art of single-handed sailing. This award has been given out since 2006. Recipients include Sir Robin Knox-Johnson, Mervyn Wheatley, Roger Taylor, and Pete Hill.
From the OCC’s press release:
“Matt Rutherford – ‘Saint Brendan’ – sailed singlehanded and non-stop around the Americas in the face of enormous challenges to benefit CRAB (Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating).
This adventure begins from Annapolis in June of 2011 and is 27,000 nautical miles in total. Arrival at the Northwest passage will be in early August which is only open for six weeks.
After exiting the Passage, Matt heads for Cape Horn, rounding it by March 1 2012. Then heading north up the east coast of the America’s heading home for Chesapeake Bay, passing the Caribbean before hurricane season. At 80 miles a day, it will take roughly 10 1/2 months… all of this adventure NON-STOP!”
Read more at www.cruisingworld.com/news/matt-rutherford-wins-occs-jester-medal
Read about Blondie Hasler and his boat, Jester, at: www.jesterinfo.org/blondiehasler.html
and www.jesterinfo.org/jester.html
Congratulations, Matt!