Yachtsman of the Year

1978 marked the beginning of a tradition that has been adopted by each administration since. Commodore Norm Winkel determined that recognition should be given to the many volunteers who freely donate their time, vacations, talents, expertise, and even boats and equipment to ensure the continued success of yacht racing competition and the I-LYA organization. These special people have earned the honor of being “Yachtsman of the Year.” 

William George Schwer, SYC
1978
 
Andrew M. Kennedy, Jr., MHYC
1979
 
Ernest B. Hammer, CYC
1980
 
Harlow McNally, PIBYC
1981
 
Helen Davis, CCYC
1982
 
Commodore
Al Mastics, CYC

1983
 
Art Kreger, CCYC
1984
 
Commodore
Art O’Hara, VBC

1985
 
John Borman, PIBYC
1986
 
Commodore
Norm Winkel, SSC

1986
 
Joe Chase, WCYC
1987
 
Commodore
John & Marilyn Bureau, PBC

1988
 
Stephen Strong, CYC
1989
 
David Walborn, JRSC
1990
 
Commodore
Alfred Gebhardt, LCYC

1991
 
Commodore
Don & Mary Emery, EWYC

1992
 
Commodore
Fred & Nancy Weiss, WWYC

1993
 
Jim Crain, PIBYC
1994
 
Paul Pfeiffer, SYC
1995
 
Don Bartels, LYC
1996
 
Jim Mills, SYC
1996
 
John Dent, RVYC
1997
 
Richard “Moose” Avery, SBC
1998
 
Commodore
Frank Olech, BPYC

1999
 
Commodore
Harold Christenson, SSC

2000
 
Commodore
Dave Shaffer, NCYC

2001
 
Don Bartels, VBC
2002
 
Edwin & Abigail Skoch, PIBYC
2003
 
Commodore
Al & Marcia Ashley, DBBC

2004
 
John Thompson, TYC
2005
 
Commodore
William & Jan Heider, CPYC 

2006
 
Bryan Huntley, SSC 
2006
 
Gail McKee, SSCC
2006
 
Ronald Spies, GIYC
2007
 
Kris Miller, PIBYC
2008
 
Commodore
Henry & Peggy Webber, VBC 

2009
 
Commodore
Clay Mock, MHYC 

2009
 
Commodore
Byron Kosino, RVYC 

2009
 
Donna Payne, FYC 
2009
 
Commodore
Doug & Pearl Hogan, SBC

2010
 
Bob Sheppard, ACSA/SSC/LYC
2011
 
Commodore
John Onacila, BCBC
 
2012
 
Howard Pinkley, ORYC  
2013
 
Tom Thanasiu, JRSC 
2014
 
Ron & Kaye Soka, TYC/JRSC/MBIYC 
2015
 
Bob Lang, WRYCC 
2016
 
Commodore
Steve Harris, BLYC
 
2017
 
Kay Drake, PIBYC  
2018
 
Commodore
Dennis Mintus, PCYC/AYC
 
2019
 
Bruce Sattler, CWHYC 
2020
 
Scott Kneisel, BVYC 
2021
 
Commodore
Duane Burgoyne, NCYC

2022
 
Commodore
Arne Hansen, JRSC

2023
 
John Bedford, PYC
2024
 
= deceased