Inaugurated in 1976, the Championship is named in honor of Jack Brown who was noted for his service as a judge, regatta organizer and member of US Sailing Committees.
US Sailing selects up to nineteen competitors from nominees by their class associations who are current national, North American or World champions of their respective classes. Eligible are sailors who normally sail in the U.S., are members of US Sailing and are members of a club, class or association affiliated with US Sailing.
The championship is held in a different class each year, and boats are supplied, and if possible, shall be new and identical. Additionally, each year a guest helm is invited. Invited helms have included winner of the Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year, Olympians, and other sailing luminaries.
Classes in which the event has been held run the gamut from conventional to cutting edge and have included Y-Flyers, Snipes, Hobie Cats, J-24’s, Sunfish and Etchells, to name just a few.
To maintain the integrity of the trophy, it will remain on display at the National Governing Body of the sport – U.S. Sailing Association
Previous Award Recipients
- 2023 – Peter Feldman – DragonFlite 95 RC
- 2022 – Peter Keck – MC Scows
- 2021 – Connor Blouin, Samuel Blouin, JoAnn Fisher – Lightnings
- 2020 – Jake La Dow, Alexander Curtiss – Harbor 20s
- 2019 – Dalton Bergan, Benjamin Glass – Ideal 18s
- 2018 – Bill Draheim, Rod Favela – Raced in Y-Flyers
- 2017 – Steve Benjamin, Christopher Larson, Phil Trinter – Raced in Sonars
- 2016 – Paul Jon Patin – Raced in Sunfish
- 2015 – Brad Funk, Trevor Burd – Raced in VX:One
- 2014 – Mike Ingham, Delia Ingham,Dan Fien – Raced in Thistles
- 2013 – Brian Keane, Steve Hunt, Victor Diaz De Leon – Raced in Lightnings
- 2012 – Ed Eckert, Matthew Schmidt – C Scow- Raced in C Scows
- 2011 – Andrew Eagan, Marcus Eagan – Flying Scot – Raced in Flying Scots
- 2010 – Chris Raab, Robert Kinney – Mercury 18 – Raced in Ideal 18s
- 2009 – Skip Dieball – Highlander Champion – Raced in Lightnings
- 2008 – Doug Kaukeinen- Sunfish National Champion – Raced in Sunfish
- 2007 – Ernesto Rodriguez and Megan Place – Snipe National Champion – Raced in Snipes
- 2006 – Alan Field, Steve Hunt -Martin 242 Champions – Raced in Y Flyers
- 2005 – Michael Ingham, E. Baker, Delia Ingham – Thistle N Champions – Raced in Flying Scots
- 2004 – Michael Funsch, Jay Lurie – Vanguard 15 Champions- Raced in JY 15s
- 2003 – Allen Terhune – Lightning Champions -Raced in MC Scows
- 2002 – Bill Draheim, Natalie Mauney, Scott Mauney – Flying Scots – Raced in Flying Scots
- 2001 – George Szabo, Brian Janney – Star
- 2000 – Paul Foerster, Carrie Foerster – JY15
- 1999 – John Mollicone, Danny Rabin – JY 15
- 1998 – Kelly Gough, Heide Gough, Natalie Mauney – Flying Scots
- 1997 – George Szabo, Stacey Dumain – Lido 14s
- 1996 – George Szabo, Stacey Dumain – Lido 14s
- 1995 – Brian Taboada, Larry Colantuano -Lightning – Ideal 18s
- 1994 – Russell Robinson, Allan Robinson – 110
- 1993 – Russell Robinson, Mike Considine – 110
- 1992 – Paul Foerster – Flying Dutchman – raced in MC Scows
- 1991 – Jamie McCreary – International One-Design
- 1990 – Craig Leweck, Matt Reynolds – Lido 14
- 1989 – Bart Hackworth, Will Baylis – Santana 20 – raced in One-Design 14
- 1988 – Ed Adams, Meredith Adams – 1986 Champions
- 1987 – Paul Forester, Andrew Goldman, Bill Draheim – Flying Dutchman
- 1986 – Ed Adams, Meredith Adams, Geoff Moore – Snipe
- 1985 – Steve Rosenberg, Brodie Cobb, Jim Brady – Snipe
- 1984 – Riaz Latifullah, Barney Harris, Jud Smith – Albacore
- 1983 – Hobie Alter, Jr., Scott Ward – Hobie 18
- 1982 – John Kostecki – Sunfish
- 1981 – John Kolius, Chuck Wilk, Mark Foster – J/24
- 1980 – Dave Ullman, Jim Linskey – 470
- 1979 – Hobie Alter, Jr., Christian Banks – Prindle 16
- 1978 – Tom Linskey, Neal Fowler – Coronado 15
- 1977 – Tom Linskey, Jeff Linehart – Coronado 15
- 1976 Fall – Tom Ehman, Major Hall – Flying Scot
- 1976 Spring – Clark Thompson, Jr., Doug Johnston, Lawrence Daniel – Ensign