Roy E. Disney Receives US SAILING's Highest Honor

by Marlieke de Lange Eaton on 19 Oct 2008 US SAILING, national governing body of the sport, has awarded its prestigious Nathanael G. Herreshoff Trophy to Roy E. Disney (Burbank, Calif.) for his outstanding contributions to the sport of sailing in the U.S. over many years. Disney was unable to attend last night's awards ceremony at US SAILING's Annual Meeting in St. Petersburg, Fla., for a good reason: Disney's feature film 'Morning Light' - about sailing - was released nationwide last night.

In Disney's absence at the awards ceremony, Gary Jobson - member of US SAILING's Board of Directors - showed an on-camera interview with Disney, recorded last week, in which Disney said after hearing he was receiving the Herreshoff Trophy: 'I was blown away and very surprised.' He thanked everyone involved, adding 'It's really a thrill.'

Roy E. Disney's involvement in the sport goes back decades. As a long-time, reliable supporter of the sport, his impact has been has been felt across the board: from youth sailing to the Olympic level of the sport and beyond. When US SAILING created the medalist donor program to support the athletes of the US Sailing Team AlphaGraphics, Disney was the first donor to jump on board at the highest level. He is also a top contributor to the California International Sailing Association and several other sailing organizations.

Not only does Disney support various levels of the sport, he is also an accomplished sailor with many titles to his name. He has set records in many of offshore races, including the Transpac Race (which he has sailed 16 times and won once), the Chicago Mackinac Race, and the Newport-Bermuda Race.

Combining his passion for sailing and for filmmaking, Disney is a powerful voice for sailing, as well as a promoter. His just-released real-life documentary movie 'Morning Light,' which he co-produced with his wife Leslie DeMeuse-Disney, puts a new spotlight on the sport of sailing. The highly-acclaimed film features young sailors preparing for and competing in the Transpac race. The film is currently being played at theatres nationwide and is distributed by Disney Studios.

About the Nathanael G. Herreshoff Trophy
The Nathanael G. Herreshoff Trophy was donated to US SAILING in 1957 by the National Marine Manufacturers Association and is awarded annually to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the sport of sailing in this country. The recipient is selected by US SAILING's Board of Directors from nominations made by members of the Board, Committee Chairs, past Presidents and Counselors of Honor.

For more information about the award and for a complete list of past recipients, please visit www.ussailing.org/awards/herreshoff.asp.

About US SAILING
The United States Sailing Association (US SAILING) is the national governing body for sailing. Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, the organization provides leadership for the sport of sailing in the United States. US SAILING offers training and education programs for instructors and race officials, supports a wide range of sailing organizations and communities, issues offshore rating certificates, and provides administration and oversight of competitive sailing across the country, including National Championships and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Sailing Teams. For more information, please visit www.ussailing.org. If you want to link to this article then please use this URL: www.sail-world.com/49908