During its 12th ceremony, on November 5, U.S. Sailing inducted thirteen more people into its Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island.
“Recognizing sailors who history would otherwise forget is notable and laudable and critical to sailing’s strength,” said Richard Jepsen, president of U.S. Sailing.
Nominees have to be American citizens, older than 55, and must have made a significant impact or helped grow the sport of sailing in the U.S.
The 12th class met those criteria with gusto and was noteworthy for its diversity. It included more women and minorities, something that the HOF had been criticized for in its early years. This year’s class included many competitive sailors, a sailmaker, designers, instructors, the first African American to captain an all-black crew whaling ship and world cruisers Lin and Larry Pardey among others.
Inductees
Ed Adams – Adams coached for a number of Olympic and World Championship titles. He raced in college, world championships and offshore competitions.
Absalom Boston – Boston was an entrepreneur, mariner and civil leader. He was the first African American to captain an all-black crew whaleship in 1822.
Doris Colgate – Colgate has worked her life improving the opportunities for women in sailing. She co-founded the Offshore Sailing School, and teaches, mentors, writes and works on organizations targeted at female sailors.
Bruce Farr – Farr was a naval architect for seven America’s Cup campaigns, made many breakthrough designs and was a decorated sailor.
Gary Hoyt – Hoyt competed in three Olympics and many one-design championships. He founded Freedom Yachts and is responsible for a number of patents that have made sailing “simpler.”
Billy Lee – Known for the motto, “fast is fun,” he founded the Santa Cruz Boat Company and built boats that were easy to sail.
Jonathan McKee – McKee has taken home multiple Olympic bronze and gold medals as well as world titles. He coached the U.S. Olympic Sailing Team in 1992 that won medals in 9 of 10 classes.
Lin and Larry Pardey – Renowned cruisers, the Pardeys are famous for circumnavigating the world in both directions on small self-built wooden sailboats without engines. They produced articles, books and films and encouraged others to follow them with the motto, “Go Small, Go Simple, but Go Now.”
Nick Scandone – A Paralympic champion, Scandone defied ALS , became Rolex’s Yachtsman of the Year in 2005 and brought home a gold medal from the 2008 Paralympics.
The Lifetime Achievement Award recipients for 2022
Frances Wakeman – Competitive sailor, Wakeman won the Adams Cup and North American Women’s Sailing Championship four years in a row. She embodied sportsmanship, fun competition and always advocated for women in sailing.
Roy E. Disney – Competed in 16 Transpacific Yacht Races and set a record in 1999. Disney supported youth sailing and helped to create the major film, “Morning Light.”
Terry Kohler – A lifelong competitive sailor, Kohler always worked to improve the sport. He was a major part of bringing back the Women’s International Match Racing Association (WIMRA). In 1983 he bought North Sails from Lowell North and grew it into the largest sailmaker in the world.
