The Magnus Liljedahl Sportsmanship Award
I am humbled to have this sportsmanship award bear my name, but the true honor belongs to those who embody its spirit. It is incredibly fitting that this year’s recipient is someone who finds genuine joy in helping a competitor succeed. That selfless perspective—having the ability to be happy for someone else—is the very definition of a champion.
Courage, Good Judgement, Integrity, Kindness, Respect, Responsibility, Self Discipline, Perseverance
There were ten sailors nominated for the sportsmanship award. It’s a relatively low number, but much of that had to do with no wind and no racing for the first couple of days. Luckily, the wind picked up for the final two days.
And the winner is:
As nominated by Coach Mykel Alofoso and many of the Green Fleet participants:
I would like to formally nominate Grace Sereny (USA 5678) for special recognition, as she truly represents the values, sportsmanship, and character we strive to instill in our sailors.
Throughout the regatta, Grace demonstrated strong performance on the water, finishing among the top 10 sailors. Her consistency, focus, and determination clearly reflect her commitment to growth and excellence. What truly sets Grace apart, however, is her character.
During one of the races, she noticed another sailor, Leo Petsas (PUR 13), struggling on the downwind. Without hesitation, Grace offered him advice—suggesting he sit further back in the boat to improve his speed. Leo applied her advice immediately, improved his performance, and even passed her in the following race. Rather than feeling frustrated or discouraged, Grace was genuinely happy for him. She took pride in helping another sailor improve, placing sportsmanship and integrity above personal results. She was the only sailor in the fleet to demonstrate this level of selflessness during competition.
A great big THANK YOU to Coral Reef Yacht Club for putting on this event!