In recognition of distinguished service and leadership in the promotion of one design sailing and class organization.
The John H. Gardiner Jr. trophy & service award was adopted by US Sailing in 1995 to honor John and his passion for supporting one design sailing. John created and promoted the Red Lobster Cup, sailed in Florida in the 80’s. His enthusiasm grew the event to include six hundred sailors in multiple fleets, clinics run by professional sailors, numerous sponsors, outstanding raffle items, and community support. The key to John’s success was in the sailors and friends that he brought together year after year.
In January of 2022, the One Design Class Committee combined the One Design Service Award with the One Design Leadership Award to be named the John Gardiner One Design Service & Leadership Award.
Nominations now Closed
Additional Information
To maintain the integrity of the John H. Gardiner Jr. Trophy, a placard was created so not to damage the perpetual trophy during shipping. The Gardiner Trophy is on display at the US Sailing headquarters in Bristol, RI.
Previous Award Recipients
One Design Service & Leadership Award 2022+
- 2023 – Gerry Christman (Bloomington, IL)
- 2022 – Rob Bowden, ILCA (Charleston, SC)
One Design Service Award Recipients prior to 2022
- 2021 – Dora McGee, Catalina 22, (Cumming, GA)
- 2019 – Ronnie Ashmore, Buccaneer 18, (Anderson, SC)
- 2018 – Donald Hackbarth (Marietta, GA)
- 2013 – Barney Harris (Arlington, VA) & Peter Duncan (Severna Park, MD)
- 2012 – Fletcher Driscoll, A Scow, White Bear Lake, MN
- 2011 – Gene Ferguson, Catalina 22 class, Lake Worth, TX
- 2010 – Zeke Durica, Ensign class, Dunedin, FL
- 2009 – Todd Haines, Dousman, WI
- 2008 – Paul White, Y-Flyer class, Indianapolis, IN
- 2007 – Greg Fisher, Columbus, OH
- 2006 – Jack Lynch, Edgewater, MD
- 2005 – Nelson Weiderman, J-105 Class
- 2004 – Harry & Karen Carpenter, Flying Scot class
- 2003 – Kay Snider, Ensign class, Houston, TX
- 2002 – Doug Kessler, Atlanta, GA
- 2001 – Bernie Kuse, Jacomo Sailing Club, Kansas City, MO
- 2000 – Chuck Maschal, Optimist Class, Beach Haven, NJ
- 1999 – Stanley Bell, Interclub Class, Larchmont YC, NY
- 1998 – No Award
- 1997 – Ali Meller, 505 class, Annapolis, MD
- 1996 – Frank Flaherty, Penguin Class
- 1995 – Peter Bent, Mass. Bay Sailing Association, Annisquam, MA
- 1994 – Bill Douglas, Optimist Class
- 1993 – Jeff Thompson, Interlake Class, Hoover YC
- 1992 – Larry White, ICYRA, ISSA, Snipe and 420 classes, Niantic, CT
- 1991 – John MacCausland, International Star Class YRA
- 1990 – Jack Finefrock, Thistle class
- 1989 – Frank Mendelblatt, Optimist Dinghy Class, St. Petersburg, FL
One Design Leadership Award Recipients Prior to 2022
- 2021 – Bob Naylor, (Tempe, AZ) Arizona Yacht Club, Sunfish Fleet 749
- 2019 – Fred Roy, Newport, RI, Herreshoff S Class
- 2018 – Victor “Pete” Bethge, Shelter Island Heights, NY
- 2016 – Chris Ryan & Lisa Pline, Annapolis Snipe Fleet
- 2013 – Jon Deutsch (Richmond, VA)
- 2012 – Kathleen Tocke (Miami, FL) Snipe Class
- 2011 – Justin Scott, Greenwich, CT
- 2010 – Christine Porter & Carrie Bargren, Madison, WI
- 2009 – Geoff Hurwitch, Park City, UT
- 2008 – Bill Brosius, Olympia, WA
- 2007 – Bill Fastiggi & Allan Terhune, Lightning Class
- 2006 – Dave Michos, Jet 14 Class
- 2005 – Linda Leader, Sunfish Class, Wawasee Yacht Club, Syracuse, IN
- 2004 – Russell Hoyt, Newport, RI
- 2003 – David Silverman, Sunfish Class, Indian Harbor Beach, FL
- 2002 – Jerelyn Biehl, San Diego, CA
- 2001 – Joe Sullivan, Sunfish Class, New York, NY
- 2000 – Keith Graham, Thistle Class, Seattle WA
- 1999 – Rich Ogrentz, National One Design Class, Highland, IN
- 1998 – Mike Derusha, Ensign Class
- 1997 – Camille Daniels, Catalina 37 One-Design Fleet
- 1996 – Erich Schloemer, M-20 Class
- 1995 – Don Hackbarth, Snipe Class
- 1994 – Steve Tacconnelly, Susan & Ron Hofacker, Seabrook Sailing Club
- 1993 – Bill Adamson, Wichita, KS, River Kids, Arkansas River Foundation
- 1992 – no award
- 1991 – Bill Barton, Ross, CA, San Francisco Bay Etchells Fleet
- 1990 – John Cazier, Corona del Mar, CA, Schock 35 Class
- 1989 – Tim Hogan, Balboa, CA, Newport Harbor YC Program
- 1988 – Jan O’Malley, Mantoloking, NJ, Laser Radial North Americans
- 1987 – Wesley H. Durant, Jr., Berlin, MA, SMYRA Junior Club Program