Celebrating competitive sailors and others who have made a lasting contribution to the sport

ABOUT
In 1989, the Marblehead Race Week Centennial Committee established the Marblehead Yacht Racing Hall of Fame in recognition of those individuals who have had a significant impact on racing in Marblehead, whether it be in the competition itself, in management, in a supporting capacity, and have made a lasting contribution to the sport worthy of recognition.  

MEMBERSHIP CRITERIA
An individual who, while hailing from Marblehead:
1) Achieved national or international recognition in racing events or
2) Successfully promoted Marblehead as a world-class racing center or
3) Demonstrated an outstanding commitment to Marblehead’s race management or
4) Has been instrumental in the successful innovation, design, development. and construction of well-known racing yachts.

MEMBER INDUCTIONS

1989
Eugene T. Connolly—Yachtsman in 30 Sq. Meters, U.S. One-Design, Shields, YRUMB Founder and President

Francis P. Copeland—Pioneering Skipper, Adams Cup Finalist, IOD, Alden, and Triangle Classes

David A. Curtis—World Champion: Etchells-22, J-24, Soling, Jolly Boat, 110 Classes, Pan Am Games, Two-Time Rolex Yachtsman of the Year, National Sailing Hall of Fame

Leonard M. Fowle, Jr.—Chronicler of Marblehead racing for 40 years, junior sailing promoter, Pleon Honorary Member, EVP of ICYRA

Frederick E. (Ted) Hood—Sailmaker, naval architect, America’s Cup winner, Yachtsman of the Year, Founder of Hood Enterprise

Raymond Hunt—Naval architect of sail and power boats: 110, 210, 5.5-Meter, Concordia Yawl, 12-Meter, Boston Whaler, Bertram

Emily J. (Emmy) Magoon—Women’s Sailing Advocate, Four-time Adams Cup Finalist, Brutal Beast, Town Class, 210, Shields, Sonar and Rhodes 19 Class, USYRU judge

John Marvin—Olympic Gold Medalist, Collegiate Hall of Fame

George D. O’Day—Olympic Gold Medalist, two-time America’s Cup winner, Mallory Cup winner, pioneer of high-performance planning. Sailing, Founder of O’Day Boats

Richard S. Thayer—1st Sears Cup Winner, Corinthian and Pleon Yacht Club Honorary Member

William S. Widnall—National Collegiate Hall of Fame, 8-Time IOD World Champion, 3-Time winner of King Edward VII Gold Cup

 

1990
Charles F. Adams—Leading U.S. Corinthian, Sportsman, Helmsman, Commodore, First Amateur Skipper in America’s Cup, Secretary of the Navy

Chandler Hovey—Sportsman, Commodore, Benefactor, America’s Cup Contender


1991
Robert W. Sides—Yachtsman, Commodore, Judge, Coach, Triangle, 210 and Etchells 22 Sailor

Benjamin A. Smith—One-Design Sailor, Race Week Winner, Season Champion in Four Classes


1993
Norman E. Cressy—Sailmaker, Sailor of Turnabouts, 110s, 210s, Rhodes 19s, IODs and J-24s. Record-breaking continuous competitor in Marblehead Race Week for 70 years

1994
Pemberton (Pem) Pleasants, Jr.—Promoter of World Class Events, Race Committee, MRA Chairman, YRUMB Award Winner

Elynore R. (Elli) Thayer—Sailor, Scorer, MRA Officer, Chamber of Commerce Award Winner

2014
Nicholas A. Burke—Collegiate All-American, Coach, North American Champion

Robert E. Doyle—Sears Cup, All American, America’s Cup, Sailmaker

Bruce Dyson—Sailmaker, Boat Builder, World Champion

Francis P. Scully, Jr.—Olympic and Pan Am Games Medalist, National Champion

David J. Smith—Olympic Gold Medalist, Mallory Cup Winner, America’s Cup Trials

Judson A.F. Smith—Sailmaker, World Champion, Two-Time Rolex Yachtsman of the Year, America’s Cup Trimmer

Joan Thayer—Women’s Sailing Advocate, 100th Anniversary Marblehead Race Week Chair, Sears Cup Crew 

Richard B. Wilson—Record-Setting Ocean Sailor, Bermuda Race Winner, IOD World Champion, Vendée Globe Competitor


CHECK IT OUT
To see more about one Hall of Famer, Norm Cressy, click here.  Who do you think the next Marblehead Hall of Famers will be?  Tell us what you think in the comment below!