Singlehanded racing in North America originally involved for the most part the occasional sailor competing in the Olympics. It received a boost when ex-collegiate sailor, John Marvin, won a bronze medal in the 1956 Olympic Games and the Finn was introduced on a broad scale in North America. 

In 1962, friends of George D. O’Day dedicated a USYRU (now US SAILING) trophy in his name for a national singlehanded championship.  O’Day was well known to sailors through his company manufacturing small boats, including a unique version of the Finn, as well as helmsman of the gold medal winning 5.5 Metre in 1960 at Naples, Italy. 

A ladder series event starting at the club level, The U.S. Singlehanded Championship for the O’Day Trophy is now also open to men and women representing the Intercollegiate Sailing Association, Interscholastic Sailing Association (High School sailing), Youth Championship, and Military.. First sailed on Long Island Sound in the Finn Class, the championship was won by Peter J. Barrett who, if he had not lightly touched with his shoulder the rudder of a starboard tack boat he was ducking in the fifth race, which only he was aware of, would have won a Gold medal (rather than Silver) in the Finn at the 1964 Olympic Games. Two-time winners were Gordon (Gordy) Bowers, Jr. of the Minnetonka Yacht Club, Robert (Robbie) E. Doyle of Marblehead, MA, Shawn Kempton of Ocean Gate, NJ and Brodie Cobb of Dallas, TX.

U. S. Singlehanded Sailing Championship Sportsmanship Trophy

The Peter J. Barrett Sportsmanship Trophy

Peter Barrett, the first winner of the O'Day Trophy in 1962, also competed in three Olympic Games, winning medals in two:

  1964  Silver    Finn     Tokyo, Japan
  1968  Gold     Star      Acapulco, Mexico

Fair play and honesty were more important to Peter than medals.  Peter's only handicap was his eyesight.  When his thick glasses were doused with saltwater, in the heavy weather he reveled in, sailing was a special challenge.  In the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, just after the start of Finn race five, Peter tacked onto port, ducking sterns.  He felt his shoulder lightly touch the  rudder of a starboard tacker but neither the helmsman nor the other competitors noticed.

Even though only Peter was aware of the contact, he retired from the race.  Staying clear of the fleet, he sailed to the weather mark, arriving 50 yards ahead of the first official competitor.  Peter was awarded the silver medal, but final results confirmed that he placed in the top five in the fifth race, he would have easily won the gold.

Peter loved competition, sailing, his family, friends, and life.  His big grin and nodding head were there for all whether he beat you or you beat him.  With his high standards of fair play and honesty, and his exceptional toughness and sailing skill, it is easy to understand the ultimate compliment of North Sails founder, Lowell North, "Peter Barrett is the best person I have ever known."

Trophy donated in memory of Peter J. Barrett
by Harken, Inc.
April 22, 2002

Previous U.S. Singlehanded Championship Winners