As Gary Jobson, NSHOF President, pointed out, the common thread uniting the eight Inductees – including a mathematician, a historian, an engineer, a naval architect and an Olympic Gold Medalist – was their service to the sport. “They made sailing better for so many people,” said Jobson.
The 2014 NSHOF Induction Ceremony was dedicated to Detroit Regional Yacht Racing Association (DRYA) which was established in 1912, and whose mission is to encourage and promote boating and sailing in the USA and Canada. Coordinating the sailing calendar among 27 local clubs, DRYA organized the strong turnout of junior sailors from the clubs and community programs, many of whom were in attendance for both events.
Background: Following a two-month period this spring during which sailors from all corners of the country nominated their choice for induction, a selection committee – made up of representatives from US Sailing, the sailing media, the sailing industry, community sailing, a maritime museum, a previous inductee, and the NSHOF Board – reviewed the broad spectrum of nominations.
The Lifetime Achievement Award, first presented in 2014, Inducts an American citizen, 55 years of age or older, who has had consistent involvement in sailing for a majority of his or her life and had success in the sport while also becoming successful and achieving noteworthy stature in a non-sailing career.
The invitation-only 2014 Induction Ceremony was held at the Detroit Yacht Club (Detroit, Mich.) and sponsored by Rolex Watch U.S.A. and Condé Nast.