Hanlan was an active champion, taking many challenges and racing frequently against larger non-title regatta fields. Defending his US championship against the current American hope was very profitable. In 1878, he defeated Charles Edward Courtney for an astonishing $10,000 in Lachine, Quebec. This is probably the largest winning purse ever awarded for a single race! After this success, Hanlan decided to challenge the world's best sailors for more money. He sailed to England and France but failed to attract any serious opponents. Finally, he went back home where he won another three championships before retiring from competition. In addition to his career as a sailor, Hanlan also served as a judge during some major races. He is considered one of the first true international judges when visiting foreign countries for important events like the America's Cup. He passed away at the young age of 36 in Chicago after suffering from tuberculosis. Today, the Ned Hanlan Memorial Trophy is given out annually in his honor by the United States Sailing Association. It is a prize for the youngest crew member on board a US registered boat in the Laser class. Ned Hanlan was born in Ireland in 1851 but grew up in Canada because of his father's job at a bank in Montreal.