Recognition Awards
Portage Yacht Club’s Perpetual Sailing Awards
Sailor of the Year Award
Donated in 1981 by Tom and Leslie Ehman.
Given in recognition of outstanding performance in competition and sportsmanship. Selection is by the Board of Governors with input from the Race Committee. The recipient must fully meet with standards; the award is made annually.
The recipient should have demonstrated extraordinary performance both at Portage Lake and elsewhere. The person shall have been a credit to the club in demonstrated sportsmanship. The award is not conceived primarily as a service award, but the person should have made a “fair share” contribution to the Club programs. The recipient must be a member of both HPYC (PYC) and US SAILING.
Either a skipper or crew may qualify. In fact, the intent is to be especially alert for a crew worthy of recognition. If a skipper-crew combination has extraordinary success (e.g., wins the Adams Cup), it should be awarded to that team. However, it is not envisioned that two skippers would share the award in a given year.
The trophy consists of a ship’s barometer mounted on a pedestal base.
Previous Winners
| Year | Winner(s) |
|---|---|
| 2024 | Brian Hawkins |
| 2023 | Clark Chapin & Chuck White |
| 2022 | No Award |
| 2021 | No Award |
| 2020 | No Award |
| 2019 | Rick Lyons |
| 2018 | Bill O’Donnel |
| 2017 | Rick Lyons |
| 2016 | Brian & Suzy Hawkins |
| 2015 | Tom Ehman |
| 2014 | Brian Hawkins |
| 2013 | Fritz Wagner |
| 2012 | Brian Hawkins |
| 2011 | Brian Hawkins |
| 2010 | Clark and Bill Chapin |
| 2009 | Clark Chapin |
| 2008 | Clark Chapin |
| 2007 | Brook Smith |
| 2006 | Brian Hawkins |
| 2005 | Bill O’Donnel and Brian Hawkins |
| 2004 | Michael Ehnis |
| 2003 | Jim Meyer |
| 2002 | Brook Smith |
| 2001 | Forest Rogers |
| 2000 | Barbara Johnson |
| 1999 | Forest Rogers |
| 1998 | Steve Wiseman |
| 1997 | Clark Chapin |
| 1996 | Doug Christensen |
| 1995 | Clark Chapin |
| 1994 | Tom Ehman, Sr. |
| 1993 | Tom Ehman, Sr. |
| 1992 | Clark Chapin |
| 1991 | The Chapins |
| 1990 | Brook Smith |
| 1989 | Clark Chapin |
| 1988 | Dick Weaver |
| 1987 | Rick Lyons and Alan Stevens |
| 1986 | Rick Lyons |
| 1985 | Rick Lyons |
| 1984 | Rick Lyons |
| 1983 | Rick Lyons |
| 1982 | Tom and Martha Ehman |
| 1981 | Rick Lyons |
| Year | Winner(s) |
|---|---|
| 2024 | Bill O'Donnel |
| 2023 | Paul Ehman |
| 2022 | No Award |
| 2021 | Elliot Lyons |
| 2020 | No Award |
| 2019 | Michael Ehnis |
| 2018 | Suzy Hawkins |
| 2017 | Chuck White |
| 2016 | Bill O'Donnell |
| 2015 | Tom Kimble |
| 2014 | Tom Kimble |
| 2013 | Bill O'Donnel |
| 2012 | Felicia Cathey |
| 2011 | Elona Van Gent |
| 2010 | Elona Van Gent |
| 2009 | Bill Chapin |
| 2008 | Suzy Hawkins |
| 2007 | Michele Smyk |
| 2006 | Andy Nixon |
| 2005 | Matt Kato |
| 2004 | Colleen Hughes |
| 2003 | Colleen Hughes |
| 2002 | Gordon Chapin |
Previous Winners
This award is given in honor of Gordon Chapin.
Given in recognition of the recipient’s outstanding efforts as a crew, and as a reminder to skippers and crews alike of the indispensable role that the crew plays in sailboat racing.
The traits to be looked for shall include enthusiasm, dependability, even temper, dedication, athleticism, and knowledge of sail trim, wind conditions, and racing rules. The finishing position of the boat(s) upon which this person served as crew may be considered, but the overall performance of the boat(s) is not a significant factor in determining the recipient of this award.
The recipient will be selected by the PYC Race Committee, but nominations should be solicited from the fleets in advance of the selection process. The award need not be presented annually absent a worthy recipient.
Exemplary Crew Award
| Year | Winner(s) |
|---|---|
| 2024 | Marc Gleichert |
| 2023 | No Award |
| 2022 | Sam Hawkins |
| 2021 | Nicholas and Greg Marion |
| 2020 | No Award |
| 2019 | Mark Gleichert & Brian Williams |
| 2018 | Bill Foster |
| 2017 | Brook Smith |
| 2016 | Sam Hawkins |
| 2015 | Bruce Hartman & Edith Nickel |
| 2014 | Carl Grolle |
| 2013 | Jim Sunstrum |
| 2012 | Tyler Cathey |
| 2011 | Todd Willford |
| 2010 | Greg Harrison |
| 2009 | Jack Coleman |
| 2008 | Andy Davis |
| 2007 | Greg Harrison |
| 2006 | Jill Rogowski |
| 2005 | Todd Moore |
| 2004 | Brian Hawkins |
| 2003 | Andrew Nixon |
| 2002 | Jack White |
| 2001 | Brook Smith |
| 2000 | Bill O'Donnel |
| 1999 | Craig Kivi |
| 1998 | Don & Jean Thiel |
| 1997 | Bill O'Donnel & Ian Prince |
| 1996 | Fritz Wagner |
| 1995 | Marilyn Poulter |
| 1994 | Liz & Dick Barker |
| 1993 | Steve Wiseman |
| 1992 | Marilyn Poulter |
| 1991 | Dan Nolan |
| 1990 | George & Sandy Kunkle |
| 1989 | Dick Barker |
| 1988 | Rich Probst |
| 1987 | George Brooks |
| 1986 | Dave & Carole Moody |
| 1985 | Doug Christensen |
| 1984 | Thomas O'Keefe |
| 1983 | George Kunkle |
| 1982 | Dave Winston |
| 1981 | Hideki Tanimoto |
| 1980 | Norm Smit |
| 1979 | John Ludlow |
| 1978 | Bill McGonigal |
| 1977 | Ty Cathey |
| 1976 | John Fischer |
| 1975 | Robbie Babcock & ? Scherer |
| 1974 | Chuck Van Heest |
| 1973 | Ed Sage |
| 1972 | Rick Lyons |
| 1971 | Ken Lochner |
| 1970 | Vernon Goelzer |
| 1969 | Robert Muller |
| 1968 | Janos Nagy |
| 1967 | Stan Krajewski |
| 1966 | Avery Bartlett |
| 1965 | Kal Jabara |
| 1964 | B.C. Payne |
| 1963 | Bob Cutting |
| 1962 | John Swisher |
| 1961 | Antone Lott |
| 1960 | John Henderson |
| 1959 | Bob Coleman |
| 1958 | Bill Bird |
Previous Winners
Donated by Jack and Avery Bartlett.
To the skipper who has most improved in the current season. May be someone who has made a major move in the bottom or middle of the fleet, or someone who made a smaller move in terms of number of places advanced, at the top of a competitive fleet.
There is no strict formula to apply, but try to eliminate extraneous factors such as participation (not reflect just greater number of races sailed in current year to raise positions in standings) or a major change in equipment (new boat, new sails replacing rags — although it is recognized that keeping equipment up to snuff is part of being a good sailor). Consider regular series and regattas.
Factors: Enthusiasm, participation, success, sportsmanship.
Most Improved Sailor
| Year | Winner(s) |
|---|---|
| 2024 | Tom Kimball |
| 2023 | Chuck White |
| 2022 | Chuck White |
| 2021 | Clark Chapin |
| 2020 | Clark Chapin |
| 2019 | Tyler Cathey |
| 2018 | Tyler Cathey |
| 2017 | Tyler Cathey |
| 2016 | Forest Rogers |
| 2015 | Craig Kivi |
| 2014 | Mitch Kimball |
| 2013 | Dave Williams |
| 2012 | Steve Wiseman |
| 2011 | Clark Chapin |
| 2010 | Tom Ehman |
| 2009 | Forest Rogers |
| 2008 | Michael Ehnis |
| 2007 | Brian Hawkins |
| 2006 | Jim Davis |
| 2005 | Tom Ehman, Sr. |
| 2004 | Tyler & Felicia Cathey |
| 2003 | Clark Chapin |
| 2002 | Brook Smith |
| 2001 | Doug Kivi |
| 2000 | Joel Craig and the Community Junior Sailing Staff |
| 1999 | Forest Rogers |
| 1998 | Pam DeTullio |
| 1997 | Tom Ehman, Sr. |
| 1996 | Tom Ehman, Sr. & Tom Ehman, Jr. |
| 1995 | Tom Ehman, Sr. |
| 1994 | Rick Lyons |
| 1993 | Tom Ehman, Jr. |
| 1992 | The Kunkles |
| 1991 | Doug Christensen |
| 1990 | The Chapin Family |
Previous Winners
Donated by the Chapin Family.
This award is to be presented to a person who has over the previous year distinguished themselves by helping others become better sailors. This could be accomplished by instructing classes, seminars, or individual coaching. The person should be nominated by one or more individuals (does not need to be a HPYC member), with final selection by vote of the HPYC board of Governors.
The intention of this award is to promote and recognize individuals who have helped others Improve their sailing skills. Examples can be as simple as a skipper (or crew) helping the other crew members In their boat understand the rules better, or improving their sailing performance. It might be a fleet member giving advice to others in the fleet to Improve their performance.
In nominating a person for the award a simple statement identifying what the nominee has done and how it has helped is sufficient. The board should look at how much time the nominee has spent and to what extent there has been demonstrable change in the person making the nomination.
This award does not need to be awarded annually, but only when there has been recognizable achievement. The trophy is a wall plaque that includes a clock.
Chapin Coaching Award
| Year | Winner(s) |
|---|---|
| 2024 | Cheryl Kuzinski |
| 2023 | Melinda Marion |
| 2022 | Ron and Sharon Frisbie |
| 2021 | Greg Marion |
| 2020 | No Award |
| 2019 | Elliott Lyons |
| 2018 | Nicholas Marion |
| 2017 | Nicholas Marion |
| 2016 | Lindsay Irwin |
| 2015 | Art Varaday |
| 2014 | Erika Auner |
| 2012 | Mitch Kimball |
| 2011 | Carl Grolle, Jr. |
| 2010 | Carl Grolle, Jr. |
| 2009 | David Alday |
| 2008 | Matthew Bodner |
| 2007 | Sam Hawkins |
| 2006 | Andy Davis |
| 2004 | Corey Petro |
| 2002 | Kirsten Petro |
| 1996 | Kim Reeve |
| 1995 | Andy Hecker |
| 1990 | Laura Brooks |
| 1989 | Theresa Brooks |
| 1988 | Bill Chapin |
| 1987 | Tom Poulter |
| 1986 | Dan O’Haver |
| 1984 | Jenny O’Haver |
| 1983 | Dan O’Haver |
| 1982 | Neil O’Brien |
| 1981 | Kristin Moody |
| 1980 | Eric Lochner |
| 1979 | Curt Sage |
Previous Winners
The Walt Rensel Memorial Trophy.
Awarded to any youthful, beginning sailor who displays outstanding sportsmanship, desire, courage, and sailing skill.
This award is understood to be for a beginner among the juniors, but there is no specific age requirement. It may be for someone who “began late.” The award is given only when there is a deserving recipient.
The award is a signed Peter Max print.
Most Promising Beginner Award
| Year | Winner(s) |
|---|---|
| 2024 | No Award |
| 2023 | No Award |
| 2022 | No Award |
| 2021 | No Award |
| 2020 | No Award |
| 2019 | No Award |
| 2018 | No Award |
| 2017 | No Award |
| 2016 | No Award |
| 2015 | Sam Hawkins |
| 2014 | Sam Hawkins |
| 2013 | Carl Grolle Jr. |
| 2012 | Carl Grolle Jr. |
| 2008 | Andy Davis |
| 2007 | Andy Davis |
| 2005 | Kirsten Petro |
| 2004 | Kirsten Petro |
| 2003 | Kirsten Petro |
| 2001 | Brandi Kivi |
| 2000 | Brandi Kivi |
| 1999 | Brandi Kivi |
| 1997 | Andy McInnes |
| 1996 | Andy McInnes |
| 1995 | Bill Chapin |
| 1991 | Theresa Brooks |
| 1990 | Theresa Brooks |
| 1989 | Tom Poulter |
| 1988 | Tom Poulter |
| 1986 | Dan O’Haver |
| 1985 | Curt Sage |
| 1984 | Dan O’Haver |
| 1983 | Doug Moody |
| 1982 | Eric Lochner |
| 1980 | Julie Scherer |
| 1979 | Pete Thomassen |
| 1978 | Jill Borton |
| 1976 | George Nagy |
| 1975 | Rick Lyons |
Previous Winners
Donated by Florence Cadwell.
A junior sailor who is outstanding in achievement and sportsmanship. Age requirements for USSA events define a junior: must be 13 but not 18 during the calendar year. The award is given only when there is a qualified and deserving recipient.
The award is a trophy consisting of a sailboat replica mounted on a large walnut cylinder.
The traits to be looked for shall include enthusiasm, dependability, even temper, dedication, athleticism, and knowledge of sail trim, wind conditions, and racing rules. The finishing position of the boat(s) upon which this person served as crew may be considered, but the overall performance of the boat(s) is not a significant factor in determining the recipient of this award.
The recipient will be selected by the PYC Race Committee, but nominations should be solicited from the fleets in advance of the selection process. The award need not be presented annually absent a worthy recipient.
Outstanding Junior Sailor
| Year | Winner(s) |
|---|---|
| 2024 | No Award |
| 2023 | No Award |
| 2022 | Jim Sunstrum |
| 2021 | Bob Harvey |
| 2020 | No Award |
| 2019 | Brian Hawkins |
| 2018 | Fritz Wagner |
| 2017 | Clark Chapin |
| 2016 | Craig Kivi |
| 2015 | Forest Rogers |
| 2014 | Brian Hawkins |
| 2013 | Tyler Cathey |
| 2012 | Greg Harrison |
| 2011 | Steve Wiseman |
| 2010 | Tyler Cathey |
| 2009 | Steve Wiseman |
| 2008 | Bill O’Donnel |
| 2007 | Jim Davis |
| 2006 | Bill O’Donnel |
| 2005 | Dave Moody |
| 2004 | Brian Hawkins |
| 2003 | Gordon Reeve |
| 2002 | Craig Kivi |
| 2001 | Michael Ehnis |
| 2000 | Forest Rogers |
| 1999 | Gordon Chapin |
| 1998 | Bill Wagner |
| 1997 | Dick Barker |
| 1996 | Jim Meyer |
| 1995 | Sandy Kunkle |
| 1994 | Brook Smith |
| 1993 | Gordon Chapin |
| 1992 | Don Thiel |
Previous Winners
Presented and awarded by the current captain’s of each PYC fleet.
This trophy will be awarded to promote and improve the quality of racing by acknowledging on the water integrity as practiced by a competing PYC sailor.
FS Fleet 20 proposes that the Fleet Captains of the active racing fleets comprises the selection Committee. The selection process will be completed in the autumn so that the trophy may be presented at the Annual Awards Banquet. Although the PYC Sportsperson of the Year Trophy may be given annually, it need not be awarded in years where a suitable candidate is not available. It is also intended that the same individual not be honored in successive years, as this does not encourage competition for the award.
The following selection criteria are proposed as guidelines to the selection committee:
- To be a candidate for the award, the person should he a frequent and strong racing competitor
- There should be universal agreement that the candidate is not only a good winner but a gracious loser
- The candidate uses his/her racing skill to avoid racing situations with a high potential for conflict
- Is known to display a strong sense of fair play and good manners on the water
- Enhances the sport by encouraging less skilled sailors and by providing sailing tips and instructions in a thoughtful manner
The Flying Scot Fleet's Sportsmanship Award
| Year | Winner(s) |
|---|---|
| 2024 | No Award |
| 2023 | Ann Taylor |
| 2022 | No Award |
| 2021 | No Award |
| 2020 | No Award |
| 2019 | David Williams |
| 2018 | Robert Harvey |
| 2017 | Roy Toth (posthumously) |
Previous Winners
Roy’s persistence regardless of the conditions or obstacle was his hallmark and showed everyone that even though he may never get a top prize he was all about the game.
Awarded to the Laser Sailor who has demonstrated unrelenting enthusiasm and participation in the face of stiff competition. This sailor freely approached top finishing fleet members for advice and freely accepted help on and off the water. This sailor made mistakes and learned because of them.
Envisioned not to be awarded to a sailor the top 25% of the fleet in a given year. This 25% will vote on the nominated candidate(s). It need not be awarded in a year when a candidate does not stand out.
This trophy consists of Roy’s Laser deck compass mounted on a wooden table plaque.
The Roy Toth Award
The Thomas Lott Award
In recognition and gratitude for continuous outstanding contributions to Huron Portage Yacht Club and yacht racing, and for inspiration to others to follow this course.
Note: This award is not decided by the Board of Governors. The decision is made by the past commodores of the Club.
Previous Winners
| Year | Winner(s) |
|---|---|
| 2024 | Clark Chapin |
| 2023 | No Award |
| 2022 | Jack White |
| 2021 | Clark Chapin |
| 2018 | Rick Lyons |
| 2014 | Dave Williams |
| 2011 | Fritz Wagner |
| 2007 | Tyler Cathey |
| 2006 | Carole Moody |
| 2005 | Tom Ehman, Sr. |
| 2004 | Clark Chapin |
| 2002 | Don Thiel |
| 2000 | Clark Chapin |
| 1998 | Richard Barker |
| 1995 | David Moody |
| 1993 | Brook Smith |
| 1988 | Thomas F. Ehman, Sr. |
| 1985 | Gordon and Betty Chapin |
| 1984 | David Prior and Ib Bentzen-Bilkvist (Flying Scot North Americans) |
| 1983 | U.S. Junior Board Sailing Committee |
| 1980 | Thomas F. Ehman, Jr. |
| 1978 | Martha Ehman |
| 1976 | Richard Moehl |
| 1975 | Jack Bartlett |
| 1973 | John Laird |
| 1971 | Thomas F. Ehman, Sr. |
| 1969 | Lewis Barstow |
| Year | Winner(s) |
|---|---|
| 2024 | No Award |
| 2023 | Nancy Staub |
| 2022 | Steve Wiseman |
| 2020 | Tyler Cathey |
| 2018 | Fritz Wagner |
| 2015 | Carl Grolle |
| 2014 | Jack Coleman |
| 2010 | Brook Smith |
| 2009 | Brook Smith |
| 2007 | Suzanne Moore |
| 2006 | Tyler Cathey |
| 2004 | Greg Schymik |
| 2003 | Dick Barker |
| 2002 | Dick Barker |
| 2001 | Gordon Chapin |
| 2000 | Craig Kivi |
| 1999 | Ib Bentzen-Bilkvist |
| 1998 | Bill O’Donnell |
| 1997 | Ty & Flea Cathey |
| 1996 | Dick Barker |
| 1995 | Tom Ehman, Sr. |
| 1994 | Dick Barker |
| 1993 | Ty & Flea Cathey |
| 1992 | Dave Robinson |
| 1991 | Rick Lyons |
| 1990 | Don Locker |
| 1989 | Rich Probst |
| 1988 | Robbie Babcock |
| 1987 | Tom O’Keefe |
| 1986 | Bob Miller & Joe Holtzman |
| 1985 | Tom Ehman, Sr |
| 1984 | Keith Kobet & Barb Wehr |
| 1983 | Dick Weaver |
| 1982 | Brook Smith |
| 1981 | Paul Ehman |
| 1980 | Ty & Flea Cathey |
| 1979 | John Fischer |
| 1977 | Perry Saunders & Raymond Dhue |
| 1976 | Walt Rensel |
| 1975 | Vernon Goelzer, Jack Pointer (Honorable Mention) |
| 1974 | John Laird |
Previous Winners
“Someone who contributes to the degradation of the image of the yachtsman by extraordinary incompetence. sluggish thinking. or ludicrous behavior.” The Plaque was bought by lb Bentzen-Bilkvist in Copenhagen, Denmark and the broken Rudder donated by Dick Moehl in 1974. It was originally awarded to John Laird in 1974 for shearing off Tom Ehman Jr’s rudder during a race.
Notable recipients have included Ray Dhue (1977) for attempting to trailer his Interlake from the (then) Newport Beach Club to his cottage on Portage Lake Avenue with the mast up; Ty and Flea Cathey for vanging John Ludlow’ s Scot so hard that the boom broke; the Cathey’s a second time for attempting to step the mast on their trailered Interlake without having the trailer attached to a car; and Brook Smith for using the service boat to destroy the rudder on a rental Highlander.
In 1983, Dick Weaver received the award for sailing through the Interlake start on port tack. In addition to the trophy, Dick also received what was left of his sidestay.
In 1994, Dick Barker won the Broken Rudder for sailing through Brook Smith’s spinnaker. This incident occurred before “hunting” was legal and, in any event, was thought to be one of the most spectacular incidents involving boat-to-boat contact in the history of the Club based upon the fact that Brook Smith’s spinnaker actually exploded into three or four large pieces and numerous smaller ones.