Black Dog Trophy

This is the Board’s most prestigious honor. Named and modeled after race founder Captain Briggs’ faithful companion, Rebel, its bronze statue of a black dog signifies loyalty to the race mission and faithful and honorable support for the event without personal recognition, in the spirit of Lane A. Briggs. The Black Dog Trophy is not an annual award, but is only presented when significant service is deserving of very special recognition.

Black Dog Trophy Recipients

2022 – Not awarded this year

2021 – Nan Nawrocki

We are honored and proud to award The Black Dog Trophy to Nan Nawrocki. Nan has been involved in the Race from the very early days. She has been a tireless force helping to organize the race year after year, taking care of innumerable details, co-opting and directing volunteers, and helping make this race the success it is today. She served on the board for many years and embodies the spirit and mission of the GCBSR.

Congratulations Nan!

Thimble Shoal Fleet Awards

The GCBSR Perpetual Trophy

Designed by Joy Heely and executed in wood and stainless steel by Howdy Bailey and Phil Huffman, this top honor annually goes to the schooner with the best corrected time at the Thimble Shoal finish line, 118 nautical miles. This is considered the most competitive schooner, and ordinarily is a Class A or AA vessel (“Thimble Shoal Fleet.”).

In 2022 the schooner Daphnae was the recipient of this award!

Robert Latimer Award, Line Honors at Thimble Shoal 

Named for the designer and builder of our original trophy clocks, this is a special trophy for the Class A or AA schooner crossing the Thimble Shoal finish line first.

In 2022, Woodwind took Line Honors, crossing 9 1/2 minutes earlier than her next closest competitor!

Windmill Point Fleet Awards

Howdy Bailey Buckle

The first schooner in the Windmill Point Fleet to cross this line is awarded a beautiful hand-crafted stainless steel Howdy Bailey Belt Buckle for “Line Honors.” (The smallest vessels, in B and C classes, finish at Windmill Point, a course length of 83 nautical miles.)

In 2022, the schooner Daphnae took Line Honors at Windmill Point.

The Chesapeake Challenge Trophy

This ornate silver loving cup is awarded for the best corrected time at Windmill Point for a Class B or C schooner.

In 2022, best corrected time at Windmill Point went to the schooner Daphnae

Bragging Rights Only ("BRO")

When a Class B or Class C (Windmill Fleet) schooner keeps racing all the way to Thimble Shoal, instead of turning on the engine when they reach Windmill Point, they are entitled to “Bragging Rights Only” by class.

Only one vessels in the Class B and C boats completed the 118 nm course in 2022, Daphnae!

The Special Howdy Bailey Remarkable Perserverance Award

A unique, similar edition of Howdy’s much-coveted handmade stainless steel belt buckle (resembling somewhat the one given for Windmill Fleet Elapsed Time above) is from time to time given by Howdy to the schooner crossing its finish line last under sail (longest elapsed time), in honor of its perseverance; or, at the discretion of the Race committee, to the schooner most deserving of recognition for outstanding seamanship.

The schooner Daphnae, new to the race this year was the last boat to cross the finish line in 2022 with a total elapsed race time of  38 hours, 57 minutes, and 09 Seconds. Perseverance indeed!

The Volunteer of The Year Award

The Board honors an outstanding volunteer during the awards ceremony, someone who has gone above and beyond requirements to accomplish his or her assigned duties.

While many people give tirelessly to make this race happen year after year, stepping up to take on the responsibilities needed to pull it all off, this year no particular volunteer rose above the rest. The board thanks all who gave of their time to make 2022 a success!

The Baltimore Perpetual Trophy

A smaller, Steiff-made sterling silver rendition of the Perpetual Trophy recognizes the top schooner of each year and resides at the northern end of the course, usually in a popular drinking establishment convenient to the harbor.

NOTE: Vessels racing in Class N are not eligible for any of the above Schooner Race awards.