The Interlake Sailing Class Association, the International Lightning Class Association, and Hoover Yacht Club of Columbus, OH nominate George Fisher for the 2002 W. Van Alan Clark Jr. Trophy.  Over the past twenty years, the George Fisher has embodied the finest traditions of sportsmanship within the Midwest and nationally.
      George Fisher exemplifies a bygone era when yachting was a competition between gentlemen.  This would be an easy statement to make about a creaky septuagenarian bringing up the back of the fleet, lending quiet dignity to events only by virtue of silver locks and a crinkled smile.  Not so George, who at 74 still competes at the top of the Lightning and Interlake classes, and whom every opponent recognizes as both a serious threat on the racecourse, and a friend in the clubhouse.
      Before any listing of sailing achievements, George Fisher?s record in our sport is measured by what he has given back.  For 40 years, George has given tactics and rules seminars at the Hoover Yacht Club, among other locales, continuing a lifelong practice of teaching in the sport which stretches back to the days he taught his sons, Greg and Matt, to sail in Penguins at Buckeye Lake.  After a hiatus of seven or eight years to support his sons? sailing, he has continued to mentor a long list of sailors - and very effectively - as each of the seven Hoover Yacht Club skippers who won National or North American Championships in the last eight years either crewed for or were mentored by George in some significant manner along their way.
      A life-long Lightning sailor, he has served as President, Chief Measurer, and Chairman of the Advisory Board of the International Lightning Class Association.  As President of the Advisory Board, he was responsible for re-writing the class Bylaws and assisting the class in establishing an Internal Revenue Section 501(c)(3) entity to allow deductions to further junior sailing or to expand the sport to be tax deductible.
      At his urging, Hoover Yacht Club increased its level of participation in the Interlake Sailing Class Association, culminating in hosting the ISCA Nationals in 1990 and 1997.  The exposure of this event within the club, in turn, sparked increased interest in competitive sailing.  He used the experience at Hoover as leverage to urge Buckeye Lake Yacht Club to host the ISCA Nationals in 1992.  This, in turn, helped recreate interest in competitive sailing at BLYC, which will shortly be the home of the newest fleet in the Interlake Sailing Class Association.
      In recognition of his service to the Interlake Sailing Class Association, in 2000, he became only the fourth person to be honored as a Lifetime Honorary Member of the ISCA.
      At any regatta he attends, disputes over questionable racing incidents are often resolved with, ?Let?s see what George says,? with unhesitating respect for his status as a judicious arbiter of both the racing rules, and of fair sailing.  Fair on the racecourse, generous with his time and experience, a good loser and a graceful winner under all circumstances, George has been a role model in both the sport, and in life, to every person he has touched.
      George Fisher?s 43 consecutive appearances at the annual Pymatuning Lightning Regatta is but one example of the commitment he has shown to supporting various organizations and events in sailing.  George still scrubs the green stuff off the bottom of the committee boat and buoys at the club?s hauling-out each fall, and bolts the signals rack back together each spring, absorbed and responsible in even the least aspects of the sport he has shared, with feeling, with so many others for so many years.  In every sense of the word, George Fisher has imbued his sailing life with an unassuming nobility that is rare and wonderful in a great sportsman.  He generates an easy and vital rapport with every person in every conversation on any subject.

Career and Current Highlights

 Teaching and Coaching (Giving multiple seminars regularly for 40 years):

?        Coaching, Buckeye Lake Yacht Club, Junior Sailing Program

?        Public Adult Instruction, Buckeye Lake Yacht Club (proceeds to Junior Sailing)

?        Interlake Class Seminars and Instructional Videos

?        Lightning Class Seminars

?        Hoover Yacht Club Seminars

?        Coaching, Junior Sailing Foundation, Hoover Yacht Club

Organizational Leadership:

1958 - Commodore, Buckeye Lake Yacht Club

1964, 1977-1978 - Assistant Measurer, International Lightning Class

1979-1980 - Chief Measurer, International Lightning Class

1981-1982 - President, International Lightning Class

1990, 1992, & 1997 ? Local Chair, Interlake National Championship Series.

1993-1996 - Vice President, Interlake Class Sailing Association

1994-1998 - Fund Raising Coordinator for HYC Juniors Program

1960?s - present - International Lightning Class Advisory Committees

Racing Highlights:

1964 - 4th, Lightning North Americans

1985 - 5th, Champion of Champions (one of 8 appearances at Champ of Champs)

1996 - 1st, Lightning North American Masters

1997 - 10th, Lightning Worlds (4th going into last race)

1997 - 1st Crew (crewing for son, Matt) Lightning North Americans

1997 - 1st, Snipe North American Grand Masters

1997 - 4th, Snipe North American Masters

1997 - 1st (tied) Hoover Yacht Club Championship

2001 - 1st, Interlake National Championship (12th Interlake National title since 1979)