March 21, 2006

Chicago, Ill. (March 17, 2006) -- US SAILING, national governing body for the sport, presented its National Sportsmanship award, the W. Van Alan Clark Jr. Trophy, to Greg Storer (Branford, Conn.) for his outstanding display of sportsmanship behavior at the U.S. Offshore Championship last fall. Storer was presented with the trophy at an awards dinner at US SAILING's Spring Meeting in Chicago, Ill., earlier this evening.

A Midshipman at the U.S. Naval Academy and captain of the Academy's Offshore Sailing Team, Storer had led his team to the top of the scoreboard on day one of the U.S. Offshore Championship, held in Annapolis, Md. On the second day of the three-day event, the competitors sailed a 24-mile point-to-point race and the Midshipmen crossed the finish line in second place. The wind had been building throughout that race and the race committee had amended the course by inserting a safe water mark to keep the unfamiliar skippers clear of potential shoal water. Upon getting back ashore, a competitor pointed out to the Navy crew that it appeared Navy had passed this mark on the incorrect side. Although no protest was filed, Storer admitted that he was uncertain if he had honored the mark and voluntarily decided to withdraw from the race, converting his team's second-place finish to a 12th. The Navy team still managed to win the entire regatta after two races were held on the final day.

"Mr. Storer's conduct during the U.S. Offshore Championship was exemplary," read one of the nominations for the National Sportsmanship award. "He is a credit to himself, the Naval Academy sailing program and to sailing in general."

Greg Storer, 21, is a senior at the Naval Academy and plans to become a Submarine Warfare Officer upon his graduation this spring. Storer now joins a long list of highly respected sailors who have received US SAILING's W. Van Alan Clark Jr. Sportsmanship Trophy since the award was first presented 20 years ago. The list includes such well-known sailors as Olin J Stephens, Dave Perry, Harry Carpenter, and Buddy Melges.

Sportsmanship is difficult to define but easily recognizable. The high standards exemplified by the true sportsperson are vital to the health of sailing, which is why each year US SAILING presents its prestigious W. Van Alan Clark, Jr. Trophy. This award honors those people who are outstanding examples of dedication and graciousness in the sport of sailing, and for sharing these talents with others. Nominees include sailors who have performed a single exemplary act or who have consistently exemplified the finest tradition of the sport both on and off the water, through instruction and encouragement of others.

More information about the W. Van Alan Clark, Jr. National Sportsmanship Trophy can be found on US SAILING's website at www.ussailing.org/sportsmanship.

About US SAILING The United States Sailing Association (US SAILING) is the national governing body for sailing and sailboat racing. Headquartered in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, the organization's mission is to encourage participation and promote excellence in sailing and racing in the U.S. US SAILING offers training and education programs, supports a wide range of sailing organizations and communities, and provides administration and oversight of competitive sailing across the country, including the US Sailing Teams and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Sailing Teams. For more information, please visit www.ussailing.org.

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