Ten inducted into the USA's National Sailing Hall of Fame

by NSHOF on 29 Oct 2013 The United States National Sailing Hall of Fame (NSHOF) has inducted ten of the sport’s significant contributors into the National Sailing Hall of Fame during ceremonies held for the first time in the organization’s hometown, and on the site of its future facility at City Dock in the historic waterfront district of Annapolis. The previous induction ceremonies – reflecting the national scope of the organization – were held in San Diego and New Orleans.

The 2013 NSHOF Induction Ceremony, held Sunday, October 27, was dedicated to the United States Naval Academy, with whom the NSHOF has partnered in its quest to preserve America’s sailing legacy, embed sailing in education, and recognize sailing’s heroes.

'At the Naval Academy we view sailing as the best platform for leadership development,' said Commander Les Spanheimer, Director of Naval Academy Sailing. 'Our midshipmen will soon be thrown into some very dynamic situations as naval aviators, surface warfare officers, submariners, Navy Seals and Marine officers. It is onboard a sailboat that they get practical experience working as a crew… and they learn a complex set of skills and subject matter expertise.' In thanking the NSHOF for dedicating the ceremony to the Academy, Spanheimer added: 'Whether we’re preserving our nation’s nautical history or developing our nation’s future leaders under sail, I think our purposes intersect quite nicely.'

Six living sailing legends were celebrated for their impact on the sport. One of them was 'Timmy' Larr (Oyster Bay, N.Y.) and she is only the second woman, to date, to be inducted into the National Sailing Hall of Came. 'To be even considered to be in this group of superstars... it's unbelievable. Thank you,' said Larr, a two-time yachtswoman of the Year (1961 and 1965). 'I stand here to accept this hono not for me, but for all the teams I've sailed with. I couldn't have done anything without my crews; we were always a team. I may have been recognized for the honor, but it was they who actually made it happen.'

A naval architect, Larr's competitive accomplishments in the 1960's put her in the forefront of the sport at a time when it was rare to see a woman at the top of the podium.. More recently her pioneering contributions in standardizing the sail training program in the US were the catalyst for similar programs for jueges and race committee officials.

Inductees are American citizens, 45 years of age and older, who have made significant impact on the growth and development of the sport in the U.S. in the categories of Sailing, Technical/Design and Contributor (coach, administrator, sailing media). Nominations of non-citizens were also considered if they influenced the sport in the U.S., and posthumous nominations were also accepted.

The undertaking to recognize Americans who have made outstanding contributions to the sport of sailing is central to the mission of the NSHOF which was formed in 2005 and has completed phase one of its plan to establish a permanent facility on the historic waterfront of Annapolis, Maryland.

2013 National Sailing Hall of Fame Inductees (alphabetical list):
John Gale Alden (Troy, N.Y./Marblehead, Mass.)*
Thomas David 'Tom' Blackaller, Jr. (Seattle, Wash./San Francisco, Calif.)*
William Eastman 'Bill' Buchan (Medina, Wash.)
William Starling Burgess (Marblehead, Mass.)*
Frank Willis Butler (Woodland Hills, Calif.)
Runyon 'Runnie' Colie, Jr. (East Windsor, N.J.)
David Adams 'Dave' Curtis (Marblehead, Mass.)
Timothea 'Timmy' Larr (Oyster Bay, N.Y.)
Morris 'Rosy' Rosenfeld (Budapest, Hungary/New York, N.Y.)*
Stuart Hodge Walker, M.D. (Annapolis, Md.)
*posthumous