The Skaneateles Sailing Club (SSC) is proud to nominate Richard Besse for the 1996 National Sportsmanship Award (W. Van Alan Clark, Jr. Sportsmanship Trophy). We submit this nomination not because of a specific exemplary act or because of Dick's outstanding sportsmanship displayed during 1996 but rather in recognition of the continued and consistent sportsmanship over the last two decades at our club.

In 1976 Dick founded our sailing club and has remained an enthusiastic leader within the club ever since. It was Dick who authored the club's bylaws which included these key elements in its objectives: to promote the sport of sailing, to encourage the sport of sailboat racing and seamanship skills and to promote safety in sailing. This philosophy continues at SSC because of Dick Besse.

Dick is both an avid sailor and promoter of sailing. For nearly 20 years he owned and operated the Sailboat Shop in Skaneateles. Dick's involvement in the promotion of sailing has extended beyond Skaneateles. He has participated in regattas around the world and has been the secretary of USYRU. Closer to home he is an active participant in the Central New York Yacht Racing Association. His enthusiasm is so great that he boasts that he has sailed on Skaneateles Lake (where there is real winter) during every month of the year. When he goes on vacation, he goes somewhere to sail. In typical Dick Besse fashion, he mentioned casually to some of us that he spent some of his vacation in Bermuda recently participating in "some Laser races for masters." He is very humble about his activities and abilities.

Dick's love of and enthusiasm for sailing intensifies the older he gets. Now retired (at the age of 70+?) he seems to devote nearly all his energy to the SSC and how we can be a better sailing club. He never stops thinking of projects and events which the club can pursue to further the sport of sailing. His current project involves securing a number of club-owned Lasers which could be used for instruction and racing. He feels the Laser is a perfect boat on which members could sharpen their sailing skills and everyone should do this! The SSC Board of Governors recently granted Dick a life long membership in the club in thanks for his innumerable contributions to SSC.

Dick has taught many of our members how to sail and offers seamanship "lectures" regularly, on a formal and informal basis. Even the seasoned and skilled sailors of our club continue to learn from Dick. Whether he is on the water racing, or on shore helping others prepare to sail, his energy and enthusiasm is evident. He has a wealth of information and ideas which he willingly shares with all.

He participates in every race possible and can still beat a number of the club's younger "hot shot sailors." But Dick never minds whether he is the skipper or crew or whether it is a Flying Scot, Tanzer, Laser or windsurfer he is sailing. He has organized countless racing events not only for our club but for others as well. On two occasions recently (1989 and 1996) he was an invaluable member of the race committee for the Flying Scot North Americans in nearby Oswego, New York. While he would certainly have enjoyed participating in the racing, Dick helped insure the success of the regatta by giving his time and talent to the race committee, cruising the rough seas of Lake Ontario in a Whaler. This unselfish giving of support is typical of Dick Besse.

Everyone who knows Dick has learned from him. He has helped keep the sport of sailing alive for many in our club and in our area. The sport has helped keep him alive; sailing and Dick are one. It is with great respect and affection for Dick Besse that we submit this nomination to US SAILING for your consideration.

Betsy Elkins

Commodore, Skaneateles Sailing Club

January 1997