Congratulations To Rochester Yacht Club On Winning The St Petersburg Trophy

Congratulations to 2010 Melges 24 North American's host Rochester Yacht Club on winning US Sailing's prestigious St Petersburg Trophy which is presented annually to the club felt by participating skippers to provide the highest standards of regatta management.

The Rochester Yacht Club is this year's recipient of the St. Petersburg Yacht Club Trophy for the outstanding organization and execution of the Hospice Regattas National Championship from June 3-6, 2010 in Rochester N.Y. This regatta was part of a multi-year commitment by the yacht club to host the National Championships in 2009, 2010, and 2011. 

Event management was coordinated between the National Hospice Regatta Alliance, the Rochester Yacht Club, Lifetime Care and Excellus/Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Rochester. These organizations provided ample support and leadership for the regattas over the years.

President of the National Hospice Regatta Alliance Jean Kluttz, event PRO Wayne Bretsch, Co-chairs of the regattas Hank and Mary Stuart, and Commodores of the Rochester Yacht Club John and Lauren Doyle, and countless volunteers were all recognized. Vice Commodore Keith Burhans and Hank Stuart were on hand to receive the award on behalf of the club. Hospice Regattas have raised more than 14 million dollars since 1982 and have served people in need around the country.

Robin Wallace presented the award to the Rochester Yacht Club this evening. Burhans added, "We love putting on major regattas. I love this award because the competitors submit the nominations."

Emblematic of excellence in race management, the St. Petersburg Yacht Club Trophy was awarded originally by the St. Petersburg Yacht Club in the late 1960s to recognize the club which ran the best regatta. The trophy was retired for several years, and then donated to US SAILING in 1977. The winner is selected on the basis of race management superiority and evaluation by participating skippers. To learn more about this award, please visit the St. Petersburg Yacht Club Trophy site.