2025 - John Butine & Chris Williams

Hank Saurage

Member of the Year

2026 

Hank Saurage is a lifelong Sunfish sailor whose leadership, generosity, and dedication have had a profound and lasting impact on the USSCA, making him a most deserving recipient of the Member of the Year Award.

Hank has been instrumental in the successful launch of the USSCA Foundation, playing a central role in its early growth and financial stability. As a major fundraiser and contributor, Hank not only spurred widespread donations but personally matched those contributions, providing critical seed funding. Because the Foundation is still relatively new, Hank’s leadership and generosity have positioned it on strong financial footing and helped ensure its long-term viability in supporting youth sailing for many years to come.

Beyond his foundational work, Hank’s connection to the Sunfish class spans more than five decades. He began sailing a Sunfish at the age of 10—the first boat he ever sailed solo—and has raced competitively for over 50 years. Along the way, he has built lifelong friendships, developed skills, and created memories that define the spirit of the class. His sailing accomplishments range from innovative contributions, including knots named in his honor, to a second-place finish at the World Championships. Remarkably, Hank has competed in 25 Sunfish World Championships.

Hank currently serves as the USSCA Nominations Chair, continuing his long-standing commitment to leadership and service within the class.

Through his extraordinary generosity, sustained leadership, and lifelong devotion to Sunfish sailing, Hank Saurage exemplifies the values, spirit, and legacy of the USSCA.

2026

Volunteer of the Year

Paul Dierze

Paul Dierze, year after year, has consistently contributed his selfless service to the Sunfish class and he is a highly deserving recipient of the USSCA Volunteer of the Year Award. As the New England Class Representative, Paul has repeatedly gone above and beyond his role to support sailors, regattas, and the growth of the class.

Paul played a key role in bringing major events to New England, including helping secure a venue for the 2022 and 2026 Sunfish North American Championships after navigating multiple false starts with prospective host clubs. He continues to work tirelessly behind the scenes, including coordinating charter boats to ensure sailors from across the country can participate.

Perhaps most famously, Paul has become an unofficial logistics backbone of the Sunfish class. With his van, he routinely transports boats, spare parts, and equipment up and down the East Coast, to the interior of the country and beyond—enabling sailors to attend events such as Midwinters, Women’s North Americans, and national championships. He keeps the events accessible, often delivering boats and parts directly to regatta sites.

Paul’s dedication knows no geographic limits. He traveled from Massachusetts to Indiana for the 2025 Women’s North American Championship simply to bring boats, support competitors, and serve as pit crew. His willingness to do whatever is needed, wherever it is needed, has made a tangible difference to countless sailors.

Through his consistency, generosity, and tireless commitment, Paul Dierze has strengthened participation, removed barriers to entry, and exemplified what it means to volunteer for the good of the class.

2026 

Youth of the Year

Brendan Mack

Brendan Mack is a 15‑year‑old Sunfish sailor from the Greater Wildwood Yacht Club in Wildwood Crest, New Jersey. He began sailing a Sunfish in 2022 and entered organized Sunfish racing later that year.

In 2023, Brendan competed in all seven regattas of the Mid‑Atlantic Yacht Racing Association MAYRA South Jersey Summer Series in 2023, finishing fifth overall. He again sailed the full series in 2024 and finished third overall. In 2025, he returned for a third consecutive full season and finally won the Sunfish fleet overall in the MAYRA South Jersey Summer Series.

During the 2025 season, Brendan recorded multiple first‑place finishes at the Avalon regatta and placed third overall (top youth) at the 2025 MAYRA Sunfish Championships in a mixed adult and youth fleet. He also raced regularly in the GWYC Sunday Series to gain additional experience.

Brendan logged an incredible 109 days on the water during the 2025 season, attended racing clinics, sought additional coaching, and sailed early‑season events to build experience. He also assists other sailors at club and regatta events and has begun the process of pursuing US Sailing Level 1 Instructor certification.

Brendan Mack embodies the Corinthian spirit of sailing through his perseverance, discipline, humility, and generosity. His journey from beginner to fleet champion and role model reflects the very best of youth sailing and the future of the USSCA.