Backstory: Periodically, two independent Nominating and Selection Committees were convened at the Museum of Yachting to select the next class of SHSHoF Inductees. These Committees were comprised of authorities in the sport of Single Handed Sailing including journalists, race officials and other Hall of Fame members.

The Nomination and Selection Criteria included:

• Unique contribution to the sport Extraordinary accomplishment, first-time, record-setting or heroic act
• Demonstrating a pioneering spirit Exceptional love of the sport Advancement of the sport beyond a single voyage or event
• Source of inspiration to others Outstanding performance in single-handed racing events
• Overcoming a remarkable challenge Advancing the sport through exceptional design or development of single-handed equipment or technology

Dame Ellen MacArthur, Kenichi Hori, Bertie Reed and Jean-Luc van den Heede were inducted into the Musuem of Yachting’s Single Handed Sailors’ Hall of Fame in 2006.

photo: 2006 SHSHoF Induction Ceremony Program

While educating myself about this extraordinary yacht racing discipline and its competitors, I was mentored by Dr. ARG (Robin) Wallace, George & Mary Beth Pike, Herb McCormick, Billy & Joyce Black, Muffin DuBuc, Bill Biewenga and Sir Robin Knox-Johnston. Each of these generous individuals had been instrumental in numerous single-handed races that started and /or finished in Newport including the OSTAR, BOC Challenge and Around Alone; all served (with others) on SHSHoF Nominating or Selection committees.

Among the first stats I learned about Single-Handed Circumnavigation was that more people have traveled to space than have sailed around the world alone! While the numbers have ticked up on both, it remains true today– more than 600 individuals have blasted off of the earth, only half has many (approx. 300) have sailed around it alone.

Some of the MoY galleries contained items found at other maritime establishments, but the Single-Handed Sailors Hall of Fame was truly unique to The Museum of Yachting– a one-of- a-kind worldwide. Its content was comprised of items donated or loaned by its inductees. Among them was Ann Davidson’s octant, now on display in the IYRS Library. These treasures, as well as numerous programs, photos and correspondence were collected and cataloged by MoY Librarian Phil Weld; his files are now in the IYRS Library.

While at the Museum of Yachting I was afforded the privilege of meeting many extraordinary single-handed sailors. In 2002, Christophe Augin, Isabelle Autissier, Kenichi Hori and the late Mike Plant were inducted in a ceremony that preceded a festive event attended by 2002-3 Around Alone competitors.

Ever since solo sailing pioneer Joshua Slocum wrote about his 1898 record-setting single-handed circumnavigation– many Single-Handers have followed suit documenting their own adventures– and why wouldn’t they? The resulting books are incredible stories of determination, bravery, perseverance and skill — exciting and inspiring for any armchair sailor. Below is list of books by (or about) Single-Handed Sailors’ Hall of Fame Inductees available in the IYRS Maritime Library.

Good Reads:

• Sailing Alone Around the World, by Captain Joshua Slocum
• Cape Horn, The Logical Route, by Bernard Moitessier
• Gipsy Moth Circles the World, by Sir Francis Chichester
• Around the World Single Handed; the Cruise of Islander, by Harry Pidgeon
• Wind Aloft, Wind Allow, by Marin Marie
• My Lively Lady, by Alec Rose
• Alone Through the Roaring Forties, by Vito Dumas
• The Impossible Voyage, by Chay Blyth
• Ice Bird; The First Single Handed Voyage to Antarctica, by David Lewis
• Trekka Round the World, by John Guzzwell
• Beyond Jules Verne; Circling the World in a Record-Breaking 74 Days, by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston
• The Voyage of American Promise, by Dodge Morgan
• Woman Alone, by Naomi James
• Coyote Lost at Sea; the Story of Mike Plant, America’s Daring Solo Circumnavigator, by Julia Plant