Last Saturday, 8 November 2025, there were several standing ovations at the festive evening of the Trans-Ocean (TO) offshore sailing club in the Hapag-Hallen in Cuxhaven. Outstanding sailing achievements and exemplary commitment were honoured for the 56th time. Eight sailing crews received the World Sailing Award.
Trans-Ocean Prize for Susanne Huber-Curphey
Solo and non-stop around the world one and a half times: the exceptional sailor Susanne Huber-Curphey has travelled 33,532 nautical miles from the Azores to New Zealand with her "Nehaj". She was at sea for 270 days in 2023/24, sailing through nine storms and a cyclone. For this, she received her fourth honour with the association's highest award.
Susanne Huber-Curphey has dedicated her life entirely to long-distance sailing and has considerable experience on the world's oceans. Between 2007 and 2011, she circumnavigated the globe beyond the usual barefoot route. Susanne Huber-Curphey wrote a book about her circumnavigation for Delius Klasing Verlag. In 2017, she became the first woman to cross the Northwest Passage solo. She had already completed the one and a half laps around the world once before in the years 2018/19 both times as part of the "Longue Route", a flotilla around the world in the footsteps of Bernard Moitessier.
The single-handed sailor usually avoids large audiences, but made an exception for the festive evening and joined in live from New Zealand. "The power comes from the strong boat," she said, praising her aluminium yacht "Nehaj".
Recognition mark: A yellow cap
The Ocean Award went to Marlene and Bert Frisch. The two have been volunteering for the association for many years, providing members with help and advice around the clock. Even on their Atlantic crossing, their yacht was affectionately referred to as the "do-it-yourselfer" in radio calls." gThey are always there for others when technical problems occur somewhere," was said in the laudatory speech about the two of them and their boat "Heimkehr".
During the coronavirus pandemic, they developed a successful series of face-to-face seminars. Online micro-seminars, which are free of charge and open to all interested parties. These digital events regularly attract hundreds, sometimes even more than 1,000 participants. In the meantime, more than 70 evenings have begun with the phrase "This is the Hochseestudio Cuxhaven", hosted on a voluntary basis by the couple with neon yellow caps on their heads, which have now become the association's distinctive mark alongside its stand.
Race Award for Hendrik Lenz, medal for Nicolas Manthos
The Race Award went to the Düsseldorf-based Hendrik Lenzwho, as a newcomer in the highly competitive Classe Mini, was able to hold his own in seventh place (out of 270) in the French-dominated rankings. Lenz injured a rib on the very first night after the start and a book could not be ruled out. Despite persistent pain, lack of sleep and challenging conditions, the 30-year-old continued his journey. At the time of the award ceremony, Lenz was already on his way to the Caribbean on the Mini Transat. He has since crossed the finish line of the Mini Transat 2025 in Saint-François (Guadeloupe) on 10 November after 15 days, 23 hours and 17 minutes alone on the Atlantic. With his "Monoka", the man from Düsseldorf came 14th in the group of series boats - after a stage that pushed him to his physical and mental limits.
The Doublehanded team was also nominated for the Race Award. Lennart Burke/Melwin Finkthe duo Lina Rixgens/Sverre Reinke and single-handed sailor Nicolas Manthos were nominated.
Manthos, meanwhile, was honoured for his record in the "Rund Island" regatta. was honoured with the Trans-Ocean Medal for special achievements. In the solo regatta in the literal sense - Manthos sailed without competitors - the Stuttgart native completed the route around Iceland and back to Plymouth in just 16 days, 12 hours and 14 minutes with his Class 40 "Cheekytatoo".
Other medals went to Hartmut Zoppke, who sailed to South Georgia on a 25-foot boat, and Andreas Neumann and Birgit Fernengel for their great Pacific round.
Fast and deliberate circumnavigators
The awarding of the circumnavigation prizes reflects the diversity of long-distance sailors. Siegfried-Paul Germ from Ismaning fulfilled his dream of sailing around the world despite illness, adverse circumstances and corona. Michael and Uta Jungclaus, who began and ended their voyage in Cuxhaven, received not only the circumnavigation prize but also the glass ball beacon of the city of Cuxhaven. During a lockdown in Colombia, they organised food donations for the affected population.
After 21 years and several interruptions, Horst Ablas crossed his course in 2025, having travelled mainly in the Pacific between New Zealand, New Caledonia and Australia between 2011 and 2023. Bremen-based Inga Hinrichsen and Norbert Damm explored the world's oceans for nine years, while Alexandra Lammel and Thomas Schmid travelled with their cat Coco on board.
Moritz Wichmann's circumnavigation of the world in a record-breaking 21 months was a special highlight - he had a total of 220 fellow sailors on board. Christoph Rechmann, on the other hand, sailed more than half of his 42,000 nautical miles single-handed. Talissa Hackbarth and Finn-Ove Putensen from Hamburg, who were surprised by the first autumn storm on the Elbe after three years in the sun, were just back. Despite their different experiences, all the circumnavigators agreed on one piece of advice to the audience: "sail away, sail away, sail away."
Marcus Warnke remains first chairman
On the morning before the award ceremony, the members' meeting re-elected Markus Warnke as Chairman of the Executive Board. With a membership growth of over six per cent, he noted an ongoing positive trend. "Being out and about for long periods of time is no longer a privilege of the older generation," emphasised Warnke. "We are noticing that more and more young people are joining the association. They want to set off with their family, work from aboard or not wait until retirement age to embark on their big trip."
About Trans-Ocean
The "Trans-Ocean" e.V. (TO) is a network for ocean sailors. Even without a clubhouse, it sees itself as their "home harbour" Trans and rather lives where its members meet. Trans-Ocean was founded in 1968 to promote ocean sailing and to support sailors in both cruising and racing. This was initiated by Claus Hehner, who was not supported by traditional clubs or sponsors for his participation in international single-handed offshore regattas. Trans-Ocean continues its support in this tradition, including the annual awarding of the Trans-Ocean Prize.
