SAILING FINALLY HAS A HOME
April 29, 2009
by Gary Jobson
In 1998 I emceed a skipper’s forum on the Annapolis (Md.) City Dock, hosting
the skippers of the Whitbread Round the World Race. Paul Cayard, skipper of
the victorious EF Language syndicate, was on the panel, explaining to more
than 1,000 people in the audience what it was like to sail in the Southern
Ocean. Dennis Conner, whose Volvo 60 Toshiba sat nearby, was another panelist,
and as he compared the Whitbread to the America’s Cup, the crowd hung on his
every word. It was at this moment I realized the sport of sailing needed a
Hall of Fame to celebrate the accomplishments of these great sailors and many
others.
I had no idea then that in 10 years time the very place where the forum was
taking place would soon be sailing’s permanent home. It’s long overdue.
Many of our sport’s greatest moments are chronicled on film, on plaques and
trophies, and in logs, yearbooks, magazines, and websites. But sailing has
never had its own unified “place,” a physical space bearing the history that
reminds us what sailing, in its many forms, is about. Sailing needs a home
that trumpets its achievements and inspires generations to excel on the water,
and to serve the sport.
The desire for such a home was the easy part; finding the best place to hang a
shingle, however, was a challenge. There are many cities and towns worthy of
the National Sailing Hall of Fame, but Annapolis, Md., emerged for many
reasons. — taken from Sailing World, read on.
Comments
Got something to say?
About me
I am the owner of Gale Force Sailing and write about all things related to coaching, instruction and team building. contact me>>
Be in the know with the latest adventure, finest dark and stormy and whereabouts of Kristen Berry, owner of Gale Force Sailing. 
Show your true sailing colors today by purchasing Gale Force Sailing's speciality tees, mugs hats and much more.