These SAYRA awards are recognized at the Annual Meeting.

H. WILLARD DAVIS SERVICE AWARD 

In January of 1986, SAYRA established an award to honor individuals who over the years make significant and outstanding contributions in service to the South Atlantic Yacht Racing Association. This award was named for and dedicated to Dr. H. Willard Davis, who for many years was Executive Secretary and Treasurer of SAYRA, representing SAYRA on the YRA Council of the United States Yacht Racing Union, was the Regional Administrative Judge for US SAILING, and is an International Judge Emeritus for US SAILING. He set a shining example of service for all who knew him and followed in his footsteps. Willard Davis brought honor to SAYRA through his judging major regattas throughout the United States; and he has earned the respect and admiration of his peers in the international judging community for his superior knowledge of the racing rules and his calm, compassionate demeanor as he performed his duty as he saw fit. 

This award is a fitting tribute to Willard Davis and serves as appropriate recognition and thanks from SAYRA to those individuals who over the years give of themselves in service to the South Atlantic Yacht Racing Association and their fellow yachtsman. 

The committee to select the award winner consists of the last five recipients of the award and the commodore and the immediate past two commodores. The chair of the selection committee is the next to the last recipient. The award does not have to be given every year. When the award is given, it will be presented at the Annual General Meeting of SAYRA. 

LINK FOR COMPLETE AWARD DETAILS HERE

NOMINATE FOR THE WILLARD DAVIS AWARD CLICK HERE

SAYRA SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD

The SAYRA Sportsmanship Award is presented from time to time to a SAYRA sailor or sailors who exemplifies the traditional Corinthian values of fair play and concern for fellow competitors. Winners will be nominated for US Sailing’s W.Van Allen Clark, Jr. Sportsmanship trophy. Member clubs of SAYRA may nominate sailors for this award by addressing a letter to the Commodore of SAYRA recommending the award, with full descriptive justification. The award is intended to recognize specific, salient incidents of sportsmanship on the water, but may also be recommended for a lifetime’s contribution to sportsmanship as an ideal. Awards should be received by the Commodore before October 15 of each year. The SAYRA Executive Committee will make the award at the SAYRA Annual General Meeting, and will forward their nomination of the winner to US SAILING to be considered for the Van Allen Clark trophy. 

LINK FOR COMPLETE AWARD DETAILS HERE

NOMINATION FOR THE SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD HERE

JOHN B. BONDS SERVICE AWARD 

In January of 2012, SAYRA and Hobcaw Yacht Club established an award to honor individuals who over the years make significant and outstanding contributions in service to the sport of sailing in the areas of race management and/or judging and/or boating safety. This award was named for and dedicated to John B. Bonds, Captain USN (Retired), Ph.D, who for many years was Executive Director of US Sailing and Chairman of the Safety at Sea committee at USS. John was an International Race Officer and Senior Judge. He was most noted as an instructor of race management to many others and was the instructor of many “Safety at Sea” seminars around the US. He was the mentor to many who are working today in support of the sport so that the level of race management produces quality racing for the competitors. 

The selection of the recipient of this award is made by the Bonds family, a representative from HYC, past recipients and the SAYRA chairs of the race management and judges committees. This award may not be awarded every year and SAYRA clubs can send nominations to the selection committee 

This award is a fitting tribute to John Bonds and serves as appropriate recognition and thanks from SAYRA to those individuals who over the years give of themselves in service to the sport of yacht racing and their fellow yachtsman. 

LINK FOR COMPLETE AWARD DETAILS HERE

NOMINATION FOR THE JOHN B. BONDS AWARD HERE

GRADY FOSTER RACE COMMITTEE SERVICE AWARD

The Race Management Committee in conjunction with the Brotherhood of International Markboat Operators select volunteers for this award for excellence in volunteering for Race Committee.  This is award was first presented to Grady Foster in 2011 and today we will be presenting the award to some very well deserving recipients. Interestingly, the Brotherhood was formed at one of our Sister Cities , Savannah, GA, in preparation for the 1996 Sailing Olympic Games.  According to official documents, after a very difficult day in very big seas, a group of mark boat operators banded together and issued a set oaf demands to the Olympic Race Officials.  It is unclear whether their demands were met but in any event this banding together formed the nidus for the Brotherhood.

After nominations are made, the Race Management Committee selects an award winner which is presented at the SAYRA Annual General Meeting.

LINK FOR COMPLETE AWARD DETAILS HERE

NOMINATIONS FOR THE GRADY FOSTER RACE COMMITTEE SERVICE AWARD HERE