Sail-World.com : RBYC Jordy Walker wins Llew Gibbons Trophy
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RBYC Jordy Walker wins Llew Gibbons Trophy |
At the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club Annual fleet racing Prize Giving on Friday, November 28th, Past Commodore B.W. “Jordy” Walker walked away with several International One Design trophies. However, none was as significant as the coveted Llew Gibbons Trophy. This award recognizes Walker’s tremendous personal commitment to the sport of sailing not only in Bermuda, but also on the international stage. Royal Bermuda YC Commodore Ralph Richardson presented the award.
Past Commodore Llew Gibbons was a Member of the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club for 53 years, from 1947, until his passing in February 2000. Gibbons was a tremendous supporter of the Club through his sailing endeavors, as Secretary, Protest Chairman for Saturday Sailing and as Commodore. He was made a Life Honorary member in 1995.
The Past Commodore Llew Gibbons Trophy is awarded to “an individual who demonstrates outstanding effort and/or service to the sport”. The 2008 trophy was awarded to B.W. “Jordy” Walker whose sailing career to date includes competing in the 1972 Olympics and also participating in a supporting role in the 1992 Olympics. He was also responsible for the design and building of fitted dinghies Spirit and Bloodhound.
In making the presentation Commodore Richardson said, “Past Commodore Walker was a significant force and one of the founding Directors and later twice President and Secretary of the World Match Racing Association. In this role, he flew around the globe at his own expense promoting and organizing the association. Through his enthusiasm and drive, he worked on reformatting of the King Edward VII Gold Cup here in Bermuda, including moving the racing from the Great Sound into the spectator friendly Hamilton Harbour and introducing the use of on the water umpiring to the event.
“Jordy has played a visionary role in the Bermuda Yachting Association, now known as the Bermuda Sailing Association, over many years.” Richardson continued. “He generated an early concept for Tall Ship training in Bermuda that has ultimately led to the Spirit of Bermuda program. He has been on Bermuda’s Olympic Association and Sports Hall of Fame Committee since its inception.
“Jordy’s role in keeping Saturday fleet racing and the Gold Cup alive grew largely by his commitment to the IOD, which began in 1974 when he purchased Seahorse and restored her. The fleet, which began in Bermuda in 1937, at one point had only four boats. In typical Jordy fashion, he hired two boat builders from Maine to get the rebuilding of the class started. Eventually with help from others he took over the rebuilding project which led to the completion of 12 new boats. Jordy worked tirelessly at his profession as an architect by day, then as a boat builder at Dockyard from 10 pm to 5 am, returning home for a few hours sleep before heading off to work.”
In conclusion Richardson added, “Jordy has given abundantly of his time and resources over many years to sailing in both Bermuda and on the international stage. Jordy’s commitment to the sport of sailing is unshakable. He has earned his place as one of Bermuda’s most committed supporters of the sport of sailing.”
About the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club
The Royal Bermuda Yacht Club is a private Club and is the third oldest club holding a Royal Warrant outside the British Isles. The Bermuda Yacht Club was established on the 1st November, 1844 by a party of thirty gentlemen, consisting largely of officers in the British Army, most of them belonging to the 20th Regiment, then stationed here in Bermuda. There are now approximately 850 resident and non-resident members.
Early in 1845, at the invitation of the Bermuda Yacht Club's Commodore, Lord Mark Kerr, the Prince HRH Prince Albert, the first Duke of Edinburgh, graciously consented to become Patron of the Club. His Royal Highness, Prince Albert gave permission for the Bermuda Yacht Club to style themselves the 'Royal Bermuda Yacht Club'.
http://rbyc.bm/
by Talbot Wilson
12:36 AM Mon 1 Dec 2008 GMT
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