A Falmouth, Maine, sailor, Peter Willauer, was among nine mariners recognized for their accomplishments by the Cruising Club of America, whose annual awards were announced shortly after the new year.
According to a release announcing the recipient of the 2025 Diana Russell Award, the club notes “Willauer, who was 90 when he was informed of the honor before he passed away November 6, 2025, was a key innovator in experiential education over several decades. Perhaps his most important contribution has been the Hurricane Island Outward Bound School, and the subsequent Hurricane Island Center for Science and Leadership, whose mission is to “integrate scientific research and education to develop leaders prepared to address environmental issues in a rapidly changing world.”
Willauer, a celestial navigator was a longtime club member whose sailing adventures included two transatlantic crossings, 20 Bermuda races and extensive passagemaking. You can read more about him here.
Other 2025 CCA medal recipients include U.K. sailor Pete Hill, who was named 2025 blue Water Medal winner; Tamara Klink, a Brazilian sailor who won the Young Voyager Award; Philip “Greg” Velez of Saginaw, Michigan, given the Rod Stephens Seamanship Tropy; Christopher and Molly Barnes, who earned the Far Horizons Award; and Doug and Daale Bruce, recipients of the Richard S. Nye Trophy.
You will find more information about all these sailors and the Cruising Club of America’s awards here.
