Welcome To Blind Sailing International
MATT CHAO HONORED BY US SAILING
RECOGNIZING CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE SPORT
Annapolis, MD (October 28, 2011) - US SAILING presented its highest honours during Friday night’s Annual Meeting Awards Dinner at the Annapolis Yacht Club in Annapolis, Md.
Matthew Chao (Boston, Mass.) was honoured with the Gay S. Lynn Memorial
Trophy for his exceptional contributions to sailors with disabilities and to the sport of disabled sailing.
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US SAILING’s 2011 Gay S. Lynn Memorial Trophy – Matthew Chao
Despite being visually impaired since infancy, Chao has embraced sailing at an early age. In 1979, Chao began sailing with the SailBlind Program at Boston’s Carroll Center. Chao developed a love for racing big boats and small boats, with other disabled sailors as well as able bodied sailors. His skill levels improved significantly over time and he competed successfully worldwide.
“Sailing has become a vital part of his life and his passion for the sport has made believers out of the many who doubted that blind people can sail,” said award presenter Peter Goldman of the Judd Goldman Adaptive Sailing Foundation.
Chao is a six-time U.S. Blind Sailing National Championship. He collected a silver medal at the 1997 Blind Sailing World Championships and a bronze medal in 2006. Chao has proven his abilities in able bodied competition with sighted sailors. In fact, Chao won the 2001 Hinman Masters as a crew in team racing. He is also a multi-winner of the Sail for Hope Regatta.
Chao is also known for his innovative downwind sailing techniques. In his attempt at reading the wind direction and speed, he often turns away from the course and looks over the stern to feel the wind on his face while sailing downwind.
The Gay S. Lynn Memorial 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. The recipients were Peter Goldman and the Judd Goldman Adaptive Sailing Foundation. To learn more about this award, please visit the Gay S. Lynn Memorial Trophy site.
http://media.ussailing.org/Latest_News/2011/AGM_2011_Awards.htm
Sourced from US Sailing
In Addition to Matt’s success Ken Legler who sailed many times with Sailblind in Massachusetts and the US Blind Sailing Team was announced as the recipient of the Harman Hawkins Trophy, awarded annually to an individual who has played a major role in advancement of race administration
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