US Sailing has announced its 2025 Coaching Awards recipients, with a ceremony at the National Coaching Symposium February 17 at the Melges Watersports Center. Recipients were chosen from a pool of nominees submitted by the public.
Volunteer Coach of the Year: Giff Constable, American Yacht Club
The American Yacht Club Laser Fleet nominated Giff Constable for Volunteer Coach of the Year in recognition of his tireless work over the past decade. Since joining the community, rather than simply commenting from the sidelines or asking others to step up, Constable has consistently led by example—bringing others along on his journey. He has partnered with fellow sailors and club leaders to strengthen the program and create meaningful pathways for growth.
Constable began as a brand-new Laser sailor and, through time and dedication, developed into a strong intermediate racer who “occasionally has a good race.” Along the way, he has elevated American’s adult sailing opportunities and modernized communication through improvements to the newsletter, website, and overall coaching structure. He regularly sails with the Orange Fleet (the Learn to Laser) group, demonstrating skills on the water and encouraging newer sailors. In his nomination, he was described as “generous to a fault with his time, energy, and knowledge.”
In addition to serving on the Board of Trustees, the Sailing Committee, and as Fleet Captain of the Laser fleet, Constable is a nationally certified judge and umpire who brings a remarkable depth of knowledge to every interaction. He teaches sailors not just what to do, but why, helping them think critically and improve with confidence.
Whether stepping off the racecourse to coach from a safety boat, assisting sailors on the ramp, rescuing capsizes in tough conditions, or staying late to help the last boat off the water, Constable commitment is unwavering. His use of video analysis and modern media has transformed debriefs and coaching sessions, giving sailors tools to learn independently and continue improving.
Through his leadership and example, the Laser fleet has grown stronger, more inclusive, and more competitive. The AYC frostbiting program has 30+ sailors that sail every weekend and he has grown the learn to laser program to over a dozen on most days. His passion has energized the program and positioned American Yacht Club well as it prepares to co-host the 2026 Single-Handed College and High School National Championships.
National Coach of the Year: Erik Bowers
Erik Bowers has been honored as National Coach of the Year in recognition of his outstanding leadership, technical expertise, and enduring commitment to American sailing. A former Olympic campaigner in the Laser fleet, Bowers competed through two Olympic quads, testing himself against the very best in the United States and on the international stage. That firsthand experience at the sport’s highest level now defines his coaching philosophy—disciplined, detail-oriented, and relentlessly competitive.
Since transitioning to coaching, Bowers has played a pivotal role in developing many of America’s op singlehanded sailors. His athletes include Youth World Championship representatives Chapman Petersen, Peter Barnard, Katheryn Doble, Jake Homberger, and Mateo Coates. Most notably, Bowers helped guide Coates to a historic gold medal performance in 2025, marking the first time since 2002 that Team USA stood atop the ILCA 6 podium at a major international championship. Central to that success is Bowers’ signature starting methodology, a refined and repeatable approach that has become a competitive advantage for the sailors he mentors.
Bowers’ impact extends to the Olympic stage. He coached Olympian Erika Reineke at the Olympic Games in Marseille, bringing his technical precision and steady leadership to the sport’s highest arena. Across youth, elite, and Olympic levels, Erik Bowers’ skill, dedication, and unwavering support of sailors pursuing excellence make him a standout leader in American sailing and a deserving recipient of this year’s National Coach of the Year honor.
Development Coach of the Year: Jeff Bonanni, 73 Sailing
Coach Jeff Bonanni has been named US Sailing Developmental Coach of the Year in recognition of his extraordinary impact on youth and junior sailors and his sustained leadership in athlete development. As founder and leader of 73 Sailing and the Raritan Bay High School Sailing Foundation, Bonanni has built one of the premier developmental programs in the country.
Bonanni’s program is defined by structure, preparation, and values. He operates with detailed annual training plans tailored to each sailor’s developmental stage, ensuring practices are efficient, purposeful, and directly connected to regatta performance. His coaching philosophy demands excellence in boat handling, tactics, and physical and mental preparation—while holding athletes to uncompromising standards of sportsmanship and integrity. He has also assembled a cohesive, high-level coaching staff that includes Olympic medalists and collegiate Sailors of the Year, creating a unified culture that develops not only elite sailors, but also the next generation of youth sailing coaches.
The results speak for themselves. Over the past five years, Bonanni’s sailors have consistently filled 10–12 of the top 15 positions at major C420 regattas, capturing championships at National and North American events, as well as the ILCA 6 U.S. National Championship.
In 2025, 23 individual sailors on his team won the following regattas:
- C420 Team Race Midwinter Championship
- C420 Midwinter Championship
- C420 Mid Atlantic Championship
- C420 New England Championship
- C420 US National Championship
- C420 Women’s North American Championship
- C420 North American Championship
- C420 CJ Buckley Team Race Championship
- ILCA 6 US National Championship
Through disciplined training, organizational excellence, and a steadfast commitment to character, Coach Jeff Bonanni is shaping the future of American sailing at the highest levels.
Nominate a Coach for the 2026 Coach of the Year Awards
Nominations for the 2026 Coach of the Year Awards are open until December 1, 2026. US Sailing members are encouraged to nominate deserving coaches in their communities for these awards. Nomination forms are available here: