T: The Blake Van Winkle Trophy
| Over its long history, LYRA has been fortunate to have so many people who have unselfishly volunteered their time, experience and skill to help continue the mission of LYRA and give something back to the sport of sailing. There have been some whose contributions truly stand out. The Blake Van Winkle Trophy recognizes these outstanding volunteers. Over its long history, LYRA has been fortunate to have so many people who have unselfishly volunteered their time, experience and skill to help continue the mission of LYRA and give something back to the sport of sailing. There have been some whose contributions truly stand out. The Blake Van Winkle Trophy recognizes these outstanding volunteers. |
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In 2013 the Blake Van Winkle Trophy was awarded to Bob Porter.
Bob stepped down as a member of the LYRA Executive Committee at the 2013 AGM after seven years of service. During that time he took on several demanding responsibilities. Some years ago he was unavoidably forced to withdraw from racing at the LYRA Regatta. Instead of relaxing at the bar or starting the long delivery home, he rolled up his sleeves and jumped in to help organize the trophies and awards. He ended up with the job of coordinating trophies for the executive committee from then until 2013. Bob also took on the job of representing LYRA to US sailing. He traveled at his own expense to many meetings and became chairman of the US Sailing Council of Regional Sailing Associations. On top of that Bob stepped up to take charge of the LYRA Boat of the Year selection process. He invested countless hours chasing down the results of every major regatta held on LYRA waters and brought a firm commitment to fairness and objectivity to the selection of Boat of the Year winners. And while serving on the LYRA Executive, Bob served LYRA racers as Assistant Chief Handicapper for PHRF-Lake Ontario. As well as being a committed volunteer, Bob is an intensely competitive sailor who has won the LYRA Boat of the Year award twice. Bob is moving to Saginaw Bay on Lake Huron and Tampa Bay on the Gulf of Mexico. We wish him fair winds and following seas. |
Other Trophy Recipients have been: |
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| 2013 | Bob Porter | |
| 2007 | Michael Foley | |
| 2005 | John Weakley | |
| 2002 | Ed St. George | |
| 2000 | Helen Ingerson | |
| 1998 | Janet Willings | |
| 1984 | Marjorie Patterson | |
| 1982 | Karl Smither | |
| 1979 | George Annand | |
| 1976 | Herbert M. Hill | |
| 1975 | Newton Castleh | |
| 1974 | E.G. Sorsoleil | |
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About 27 years ago, George Annand, then serving as LYRA Registrar, believed that a special award was needed to recognize those who provided extra and noteworthy service to the organization. Together with his home club of Queen City YC, George utilized a unique collection of LYRA Annual Regatta pins, donated by Mr. Blake VanWinkle, to create the Blake VanWinkle Trophy. It was presented by QCYC to LYRA in 1973. As the deed of gift declares, the trophy is to be presented from time to time by the Officers of LYRA to a member of the Association who has served LYRA with special distinction. This trophy is not to be awarded for sailing competition and it shall be awarded at the Annual Regatta. From 1974 until 1984, the trophy was presented to six individuals who had served LYRA in a wide variety of capacities. For reasons unknown, the trophy slipped into obscurity and for the Officers serving the Association in the late 1980s and throughout most of the 1990s, the trophy and its purpose weren’t even known about. Then, in 1998, Trophy Chairperson Marjorie Hare of National YC learned of its whereabouts, uncovered its purpose and was able to once again bring the trophy back into use. With no hesitation, the LYRA Executive proudly chose to award the trophy in 1998 to National YCs Janet Willings for her over 15 years of visible service as LYRA Race Management Chair (in the years before host clubs assumed that responsibility at the annual Regattas), Vice President and then as President of LYRA, 1995-1996. In addition to her LYRA involvement, she was very active in race management within the Canadian Yachting Association and trained many others in the conduct of races. In 2000, the LYRA Officers again considered the award and easily arrived at another very worthy recipient – Helen Ingerson of the Rochester YC. Helen is widely known in both the local and national sailing scene and has distinguished herself in both. Nationally, she has served on the USSA Board and as Director of Area E. Within LYRA, she was Secretary, VP and then President from 1982-1983. Over the last 10 years or so, she has continued her service as the LYRA rep to USSA and most recently as our current Appeals Chairperson. Edward St. George, of Sodus Bay Yacht Club, received the award in 2002. Ed was recognized for over 17 years of service to the Association, including Secretary, Treasurer, VP and then President, 1991-1992. Among other contributions, Ed co-chaired the historic 1990 Port-to-Port LYRA Regatta and led LYRA through a significant event format change after the poor turnout at the 1991 Regatta. Since then, he’s continued to remain active, helping in a variety of ways, including creation of the LYRA Boat of the Year award and its rules in 1995, Trophy Chairperson 2000-2002, Officer Nominating Committee and general advisor. In addition, for his home club, he was the Co-Chair of the 1993 LYRA Regatta at SBYC and then chaired the Regatta when SBYC again hosted in 2000. John Weakley from Port Credit Yacht Club was the 2006 recipient of this honor. John has been a fixture on LYRA race courses for many years. He was instrumental in the development of the Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions over the years. John also began the first LYRA website in order to improve communications between clubs. Michael Foley of Sodus Bay Yacht Club received this award in 2007. Michael was recognized for service as a Vice President for nine years and as President from 2004 to 2006. Mike was instrumental in developing LYRA on the web and has developed many of the regatta programs and yearbooks. Mike served as LYRA webmaster until fall 2010. |
