Skipper of the Year Award / The 'Endurance' Trophy

JUNIOR SAILING PROGRAM
• ENDURANCE TROPHY •
SKIPPER OF THE YEAR

9th Awarding — 2012

The Endurance Trophy was commissioned for the LCYC Junior Sailing Program by Luis Gonzalez in 2004. Here is the text of his donation document:

Looking to the past for models of inspired leadership, the legendary 1914 expedition of Sir Edward Shackelton and his crew remind us that we are capable of far more than we realize. With healthy doses of optimism, resourcefulness, responsibility, patience, and integrity we can overcome any challenge.

Shackelton's attempt to cross Antarctica overland in 1914 resulted on one of the most incredible survival and rescue stories of all time. His ad for crew read: "Men wanted for journey. Small wage, bitter, long, cold months of complete darkness. Constant danger. Safe return doubtful. Honor and recognition in case of success." He named his boat endurance after his family's motto, "By endurance we conquer."

In August of 1914 they set sail for the South Atlantic. In October, still half a continent away from their intended base, the endurance became trapped in and eventually crushed by the Antarctic ice pack. Shackleton led his 26 crew members to safety some 17 months later. During this period the crew survived the deep freeze of an Antarctic winter, killer whales, hurricane-force winds, treacherous seas, a 1000 mile passage to South Georgia Island in an open boat, and an exceedingly difficult climb over the island's snow covered mountains to the whaling station on the other side.

Sir Raymond Priestly, British geologist, explorer, and crewmember commented: "For scientific leadership, give me Scott. For swift and efficient travel, Ammundsen. But when you are in a hopeless situation, when there seems to be no way out, get down on your knees and pray for Schackleton."

And so, in the spirit of that skipper's leadership, bravery, and resourcefulness, and the trust and willpower of his crew – and with the blessing of Shackelton's heirs – the perpetual trophy Endurance is to be awarded to the LCYC Junior Skipper of the Year.

Engraved in thick glass below a photo of Shackleton's boat in pack ice, all mounted vertically above the base:

"By
Endurance,
We
Conquer."

Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton

Engraved on plaque on base:

Lake Champlain Yacht Club
Junior Skipper of the Year Award

2004 Meredith Powlison
2005 Kate Weaver
2006 Jack Besse
2007 Laura Dunphy
2008 Laura Dunphy
2009 Charlie Maitland
2010 Charlie Maitland
2011 Charlie Maitland
2012 Charlie Maitland
2013 Ben & Sam Langdon
2014 Nate Coffin
2015 Jeff Goldman
2016 Alex & Jack Merrill
2017 Emma & Brendan Hawko
Club

LCYC is a member-run yacht club located in a sheltered cove on the southwest shore of Shelburne Bay in Shelburne, Vermont, USA. We offer moorings, activities, and community for our members, most of whom own a sailboat or powerboat. The object of the Club is to promote and encourage boating and sailing on Lake Champlain, while emphasizing racing, cruising, and education, without financial gain. Click here if you are interested in joining LCYC!

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Cruising

Lake Champlain offers some of the best freshwater cruising in North America. The beautiful scenery and charming lakeside destinations make it a great place to explore. LCYC organizes several rendezvous events. Spontaneous cruising events also materialize throughout the season. We have a number of scheduled events planned for the summer season. Cruisers are out and about just about every weekday and weekend throughout the summer.

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Lake Champlain Yacht Club has an active junior sailing program, open to all children ages 8-17. We use Optimist prams and Flying Junior dinghies for instruction and racing. Full and half-day sessions are offered for all ability levels over an eight week period each summer. All of our Instructors are US Sailing certified and have extensive experience.

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