Ben Hall inducted into the US National Sailing Hall Of Fame.

In October Ben Hall has been inducted into the US National Sailing Hall of Fame in Chicago, alongside another A-Cat legend, Pete Melvin.

USACA Sec, Pat Stadt reports.

USA 99 was inducted into the National Sailing Hall of Fame during October 2024 ceremonies at the Chicago Yacht Club. Among others, A-Cat sailor/boat designer and builder Pete Melvin was in this year’s class. Ben’s brother Eric was also inducted this year, and the Hall “Clan” gathered to celebrate the great occasion on the shores of Lake Michigan.
 

As many of you know, Ben is a premier A-Cat Classic sailor, as well as a respected mentor, friend and family man. Many of his extended family members celebrated the event in Chicago, and Nan was kind enough to share some of their photos, starting with Ben’s pre-event preparations:
 
Ben and Eric both spoke at the induction ceremony and I pulled a couple of items from those remarks. Ben said that through his 72 years of sailing there has always been a common theme, family. That family currently spans four generations and Ben’s been fortunate enough to have sailed with every single member of them. He kidded that the youngest ones are “speed freaks” and they often tell him that they “have a need for speed” when sailing with him aboard the A-Cat.
 

Ben said that “sailing is an adventure sport that you can have for a lifetime” and that throughout his, he’s sailed on probably 100 different types of boats. Through this adventure, he met Nan, while watching an America’s Cup race in 1970. Together, they’ve raced Penguins, 470s, Flying Dutchman, quarter tonners, half tonners, one tonners, every design of J Boats, Santa Cruz 70's, Gunboats, and his Luders 24 LEAF - LOA 38', Beam: 6.25', 80 years old, all wood including wood spars.
 

Ben closed by saying of the induction, that he “was totally thrilled ….and humbled to be here.” Eric mentioned Ben’s recent A-Class Worlds’ performance in his own speech, proud of his brother’s accomplishment there - “he beat out 90….world class A-Class sailors….almost inconceivable….but he did it….and everyone noticed.”
 

Yes they did, Ben, yes they did.

For the National Sailing Hall of Fame bio, please click on this link - NSF Bio