US SAILING Awards
Herreshoff Trophy to Susie Trotman
Newport, R.I. - November 18, 2006
Newport,
R.I. (November 18, 2006) - US SAILING, national governing body of the
sport, has awarded its Nathanael G. Herreshoff Trophy to Susie Trotman
(Syosset, N.Y.) for her outstanding contribution to the sport of sailing
in the U.S. Trotman was presented with the Trophy, US SAILING's most prestigious
award, by US SAILING's President Janet Baxter this evening at an awards
banquet at US SAILING's Annual Meeting in Newport, R.I. To a standing
ovation, Trotman accepted the award.
Susie Trotman has
played a major role in the development of the national certification program
for sailing instructors when the small boat program was first created
in the early 1980s. She was instrumental in the cultivation of US SAILING's
Training Department and Training's Small Boat Instructor Training and
Certification Program. Her enthusiasm, dedication, and commitment helped
foster the program's growth by promoting and managing 20 annual Small
Boat courses with 300 instructor candidates in the North East and around
the country.
When the Small Boat
Instructor Training program was complete and running on its own, Trotman
jumped right into other projects. She has helped to create the Keelboat
Certification System and to keep the Windsurfing program up and running,
has supported the coaching program and championed the training program
for competent and safe powerboating. Beyond Trotman's involvement with
US SAILING, she has been a pillar of one the most successful junior sail
training programs, the Junior Sailing Association of Long Island Sound.
"Without Susie
Trotman, there might not be a Small Boat Instructor training and evaluation
program, or a Windsurfing Training program, or a Keelboat program,"
said the US SAILING committee that nominated Trotman for the award. "Susie
has had an unparalleled impact on participation and excellence in sailing
for at least the last 20 years."
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.
Mr. Herreshoff was
one of the preeminent designers and builders of his time.
Born in Bristol, R.I., in 1848, "Captain Nat" was a mechanical
genius with a love for boats. He learned building techniques from the
old craftsmen of Bristol, studied mechanical engineering at M.I.T., and
began an unprecedented career that included many innovations in the design
and construction of military, commercial and pleasure craft, both steam-powered
and sail. Perhaps his greatest feat was designing and building yachts
that successfully defended the America's Cup in six consecutive matches
from 1893 through 1920, a span of 27 years. His success in the varied
aspects of the industry earned him the nickname, "The Wizard of Bristol."
About US SAILING
The United States Sailing Association (US SAILING) is the national governing
body for sailing and sailboat racing. Headquartered in Portsmouth, Rhode
Island, the organization's mission is to encourage participation and promote
excellence in sailing and racing in the U.S. US SAILING offers training
and education programs, supports a wide range of sailing organizations
and communities, and provides administration and oversight of competitive
sailing across the country, including the US Sailing Teams and the U.S.
Olympic and Paralympic Sailing Teams. For more information, please visit
www.ussailing.org.
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