2023 SAYRA GRADY FOSTER RACE COMMITTEE SERVICE AWARD

in conjunction with the 

Brotherhood of International Mark Boat Operators

The SAYRA Race Management Chair consults closely with the Selection Committee and is extremely proud to present the Annual SAYRA GRADY FOSTER RACE COMMITTEE SERVICE AWARD in conjunction with the Brotherhood of International Mark Boat Operators Award for excellence in volunteering for Race Committee.  This award was first presented to Grady Foster in 2010 and is being presented again 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 of 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.

Our first recipient refers to himself as the "flag snapper" and is always involved with any racing at Savannah Yacht Club. He has his own bundle of flags that he keeps up to date and keeps the rest of the committee in shape. You may have never seen someone so eager and excited to participate in race committee. It is truly astounding. He has worked with the 1996 Olympic campaign as well as alongside some of the regions great PRO's and to his committee is one of the "best of the best." 

Please congratulate Michael Fleming – Savannah Yacht Club.

Our second recipient is a constant participant on race committee especially in the Charleston area for local regattas and CORA races. She pretty much plans her social life around her race committee obligations and can do pretty much any RC job out there. She has helped with registration for the past 5 years for our summer regatta and other sailing events that we have held. She can always be counted on to help in any way every year.

Please congratulate Ginger Sutton – Charleston Yacht Club.

As a small token of our appreciation, the recipients of this year’s award will be receiving a gift certificate to West Marine as we thank him for his dedication to our sport.

We thank you for your continued support of SAYRA and our great sport of sailing!

Chip Till

SAYRA Race Management Chair

NOMINATE A DESERVING PERSON

Recipients of the GRADY FOSTER RACE COMMITTEE SERVICE Award:

2010 - Grady Foster (Savannah YC)

2011 - Chip Till (Carolina YC-NC)

2015 - Johnny Doterer

2017 - Grayson Carter (Carolina YC-SC)

2018 - Ned Stender

2019 - Van Kinnett (Charleston YC)

2020 - Team LLSC - Jeff Lehman, Pat Finnick, Cathy Freeman

2021 - Steve McCarthy (Savannah YC) & David Nance (Carolina YC-NC)

2022 - Matt O'Connor (Columbia Sailing Club - Columbia, SC)

2023 - Michael Fleming (Savannah YC) & Ginger Sutton (Charleston YC)