US Sailing recognises key sport contributors at annual meeting

by Jake Fish on 24 Oct 2010 Several noteworthy sailing contributors were presented with US Sailing’s highest honours during Friday night’s Annual Meeting Awards Dinner at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Phoenix. US Sailing presented three esteemed awards to those who made extraordinary achievements in the areas of sailing education and race management.

Arthur Wullschleger received the Harman Hawkins Trophy for his outstanding contributions to the sport of sailing in the field of race administration. Jim Muldoon received the Timothea Larr Trophy for the vision and guidance he has provided to the advancement of sailor education in the United States. The Rochester Yacht Club earned the St. Petersburg Yacht Club for its outstanding organization and execution of the Hospice Regattas National Championship held in June of 2010.

US Sailing’s Harman Hawkins Trophy
Following a remarkable military career in the US Navy during World War II, Arthur Wullschleger became heavily involved in ocean racing. In the process, he developed a true passion for race management, especially judging. He became a fixture in overseeing the juries as a Chief Judge at major offshore racing events.

Wullschleger wasn’t content with the overall protest and hearing process as the most efficient way of resolving boat-on-boat issues for America’s Cup type match racing. He joined forces with ISAF President Goran Petersson and Tom Ehman, to pioneer the concept of on-the-water umpiring that was implemented in Newport, R.I. at the 1987 Maxi Series and used initially at the 1988 Congressional Cup. This system has developed into what we now regularly see at umpired match and team races internationally.

'He was truly a master of logistics,' said presenter Dick Rose. 'Tuna was the fastest guy on the circuit too,' he added. Wullschleger was a hydroplane boat racing amateur champion in the 1930s. Wullschleger was not in Phoenix tonight, but will receive his award during the 2011 Key West Race Week.

Wullschleger is a past Commodore of the Larchmont Yacht Club (N.Y.) and the Storm Trysail Club. Although he has retired from umpiring, Wullschleger remains an active member and judge at the Lauderdale Yacht Club (Fla.), where he resides. He was born and raised in Larchmont, N.Y.
The Harman Hawkins Trophy is awarded to an individual who has made outstanding contributions to the sport of sailing in the field of race administration.

US Sailing’s Timothea Larr Award
Jim Muldoon, a former president of US Sailing, has been a prominent figure in the area of community sailing education throughout his boating career.

As Chair of the Department of Homeland Security’s National Boating Safety Advisory Council for 12 years, he has influenced the direction of boating safety and increased the awareness and value of on-the-water, skills-based training. As Chairman of the Board of Trustees of St. Mary’s College, he supported the sailing program and collegiate team and was a major advocate of the college’s new sailing centre with classroom facilities for sailing classes and where any student, faculty or staff member can learn to sail free of charge or use the college boats. He facilitated the arrangement between St. Mary’s College of Maryland and the National Water Safety Congress where Spirit of America’s boating safety courses are taught to middle school students at St. Mary’s College.

Muldoon also founded and developed the Brendan Sail Training Program for Students with Learning Differences which offers sailing instruction for youth in Maryland.

He visualized the concept and established a National Faculty while he was Chair of US Sailing’s Training Committee. It became the curriculum and standards development engine for the education and training of students, instructors, coaches, and instructor trainers. He also played a key role in the development and funding approval of US Sailing’s National Keelboat Training and Certification Program.

He assisted with the development of the U.S. Coast Guard’s Strategic Plan of the National Recreational Boating Safety Program assuring that US Sailing was one of the 38 organizational signatories.
Most recently, he advised the U.S. Coast Guard and its Boating Safety Division that on-the-water, skills-based training is necessary to increase safety and reduce accidents and fatalities. This is a major sea change from the Coast Guard’s previous reliance on classroom only courses and publication of safety brochures.
As a result, more Coast Guard nonprofit grants are being directed toward funding on-the-water programs. The Coast Guard and many national boating organizations now recognize US Sailing as a leading on-the-water training organization.

Muldoon (pictured left) was presented with the award by US Sailing’s Education Division Chair Rich Jepsen (pictured right). Muldoon commented, 'US Sailing is a world leader, and everyone is trying to emulate us.'

He resides in Washington, D.C. with his wife Linda. They have one son, two daughters, and five grandchildren.

The Timothea Larr Trophy recognizes a person whose vision and guidance have made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of sailor education in the United States.

US Sailing’s St. Petersburg Yacht Club Trophy
The Rochester Yacht Club is this year's recipient of the St. Petersburg Yacht Club Trophy for the outstanding organization and execution of the Hospice Regattas National Championship from June 3-6, 2010 in Rochester N.Y. This regatta was part of a multi-year commitment by the yacht club to host the National Championships in 2009, 2010, and 2011.

Event management was coordinated between the National Hospice Regatta Alliance, the Rochester Yacht Club, Lifetime Care and Excellus/Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Rochester. These organizations provided ample support and leadership for the regattas over the years.

President of the National Hospice Regatta Alliance Jean Kluttz, event PRO Wayne Bretsch, Co-chairs of the regattas Hank and Mary Stuart, and Commodores of the Rochester Yacht Club John and Lauren Doyle, and countless volunteers were all recognized. Vice Commodore Keith Burhans (pictured right) and Hank Stuart (pictured left) were on hand to receive the award on behalf of the club. Hospice Regattas have raised more than 14 million dollars since 1982 and have served people in need around the country.

Robin Wallace presented the award to the Rochester Yacht Club this evening. Burhans added, 'We love putting on major regattas. I love this award because the competitors submit the nominations.'

Emblematic of excellence in race management, the St. Petersburg Yacht Club Trophy was awarded originally by the St. Petersburg Yacht Club in the late 1960s to recognize the club which ran the best regatta. The trophy was retired for several years, and then donated to US Sailing in 1977. The winner is selected on the basis of race management superiority and evaluation by participating skippers.

For further information, please go to: www.ussailing.org