August 13, 2003

Bemis competitors now have a Sportsmanship Trophy dedicated to the doublehanded national championships.  In the past a single sportsmanship trophy, the Gardner-Cox Trophy, was awarded for three Junior Championships, even though the three events were often sailed at two different venues.

The Bemis Sportsmanship Trophy has the classic design of a brightly polished pewter bowl secured atop a handsome hexagonal light walnut base with 36 plates for the names future winners. 

The Inter-Lake Yachtsmen's Fund, the charitable arm of US SAILING's Area E RSA Inter-Lake Yachting Association, has donated this new trophy to recognize outstanding sportsmanship among Junior doublehanded competitors.  The trophy's initial presentation occurred at the 2003 event held in Area E at North Cape Yacht Club, LaSalle, Michigan.

 The Fund is an IRS-recognized 501'(3) charitable organization with an ambitious program of support granting assistance to competitors in US SAILING Championships in the form of entry fees, matching funds, and college scholarships, providing seed money for junior regattas held on Lake Erie, and supporting other amateur activities such as travel funds and clinic expenses.  It has been a major contributor to I-LYA's Junior Race Week, providing scholarships to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finishers and subsidizing housing and other expenses at that regatta which has grown to 160 competitors for the 2003 event.

Previous Winners

2007-Brendan Kopp, Michael Costello (tie), Fairfield, CT

2006 Paige Conlin, Bellport, NY

2005 Carolyn Prioleau, Houston, TX

2004 Nick Thurber, LaSalle, MI

2003 Peter Fallon, Falmouth, MA