In the second annual campaign to recognize individuals who make significant contributions to the sailing community, Old Pulteney Single Malt Scotch Whisky and US Sailing announced Rorke Miller of Traverse City, Michigan as the winner of the 2013 Old Pulteney Maritime Heroes Award. Miller was nominated by a member of his sailing community for his involvement in the SAIL Champion program. One of three deserving finalists, he won the top honor after receiving the most online votes.
“One of my biggest rewards is witnessing the success of the kids that I have worked with, and the progress they have made throughout SAIL Champion,” shared Rorke. “It’s a beautiful thing that the program is being recognized.”
SAIL Champion aims to help at-risk youth through the therapeutic activity of sailing. As director of the program and co-founder of RED8 Boatworks, Miller creates a positive environment where young adults can seek guidance and training for a better future. He has helped young adults achieve higher education scholarships and paved the road to making better life choices.
“The Old Pulteney Maritime Heroes Award was created to recognize and honor a true hero who uses their love of sailing to advance their community and the lives of others,” said Pat Graney, President of International Beverage USA. “Rorke Miller has done exactly this with his SAIL Champion and RED8 Boatworks programs.”
Amy Larkin, Marketing Director of US Sailing added, “Young adults are the future of the sport, and garnering interest and gaining skills at a young age helps to keep the heart of sailing beating.”
Miller will be honored at an award ceremony in February during US Sailing’s 2014 Sailing Leadership Forum in San Diego, California. To read more about the winner and this year’s finalists or learn about nominating an unsung sailor in 2014 visit www.MaritimeHeroes.com.
Learn more about Rorke Miller and the SAIL Champion program in this YouTube video.
About Old Pulteney
Old Pulteney Single Malt Scotch Whisky is strongly rooted in the whisky’s nautical heritage and is commonly referred to as ‘The Maritime Malt.’ Old Pulteney is the Official Scotch of US Sailing and recently released a limited-edition ‘Navigator’ expression, commemorating the brand’s sponsorship of the 2013-2014 Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. Crafted in Pulteney Distillery in Wick, Scotland, the distillery was founded in 1826 by James Henderson in the heart of “Pulteneytown,” one of the largest fishing ports in Europe. Each Old Pulteney expression is carefully crafted and carries the windswept and rugged character of the North and the salty, fresh air of the North Sea. It is distributed by International Beverage, Inc. Visit Old Pulteney on Facebook or at www.oldpulteney.com for more information.
About US Sailing
The United States Sailing Association (US Sailing), the national governing body for sailing, provides leadership, integrity, and growth for the sport in the United States. Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, US Sailing is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization. US Sailing offers training and education programs for instructors and race officials, supports a wide range of sailing organizations and communities, issues offshore rating certificates, and provides administration and oversight of competitive sailing across the country, including National Championships and the US Sailing Team Sperry Top-Sider. For more information, please visit www.ussailing.org.