NWSA Board Member, Susan Epstein,
receives the C.R.E.W award from US SAILING at the Annual
General Meeting of US SAILING in League City, Texas, in
October. This award recognizes a staff member of
volunteer who has the "can do" attitude. It is through clear
expectations, mutual respect, and a commitment to
collaboration that US SAILING volunteers and staff achieve
peak performance in all efforts. Susan has been involved
with US SAILING in a number of volunteer positions for many
years. We are pleased that Susan shares some of her "can
do" spirit with getting more women involved in sailing.
NWSA Advisory Board Member,
Betsy Alison, recieved the Gay S. Lynn
Memorial Trophy for Outstanding Service to Disabled Sailing
and Sailors at the Annual Meeting of US SAILING in League
City, Texas in October.
The Trophy recognizes outstanding service, over a
significant period of time to disabled sailing and disabled
sailors in the United States. The trophy may be awarded to a
volunteer, a professional, or an organization. In 2003, the
trophy was awarded for the first time.
Taken from the US SAILING
website:
US SAILING’s Gay S. Lynn Memorial Trophy --
Betsy Alison
Head coach of the US Disabled Sailing Team AlphaGraphics,
Betsy Alison, was awarded the Gay S. Lynn Memorial Trophy
award for her outstanding contribution to sailors with
disabilities.
The five-time US SAILING Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year,
five-time US SAILING Rolex Women’s Keelboat Champion, and
two-time Yngling World Champion has redirected her focus
over the past several years to disabled sailing and
Paralympic competition. She has provided leadership for the
US Disabled Sailing Team for the last three Paralympic
Games. She trains and develops sailors, manages the budget,
handles equipment, and generates funding and support for her
team. The U.S. has one of the most successful Paralympic
sailing programs in the world. This was evident in the 2008
Paralympic Games when the U.S. collected Gold and Bronze
medals.
On several occasions, Alison led clinics for members of the
Wounded Warrior Project, a program for injured military
veterans. This past June, she coordinated coaches, adaptive
boats and equipment at the Newport Naval Base in order to
provide sailing opportunities for the veterans. This fall,
Alison helped coordinate an adaptive sailing pilot program
for inner-city youth at the Piers Park Sailing Program in
Boston, Mass.
“Disabled sailing enriches our sport,” said Alison. “I’m
proud to know that so many people want to embrace disabled
sailing.”
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