Are early achievers being overlooked?

by Craig Leweck, Scuttlebutt Sailing News
The National Sailing Hall of Fame 15th Anniversary Induction on September 24-25 celebrates the Class of 2025 in Newport, RI. Eleven people join the 136 inductees, and while all worthy of recognition, the USA institution struggles to celebrate the rich legacy of sailing.

The Hall limits the Class size, and when eight of the 11 inductees are alive, are early achievers overlooked? The institution relies on public nomination, and memories only go back so far. More so, the great achievements of the past are difficult to compare with how the sport has evolved.

One reference is US Sailing’s most prestigious award – The Nathanael G. Herreshoff Trophy – which recognizes outstanding contribution to the sport. There are more inductees from the ten most recent recipients than the ten oldest. Hmm…

The list of nominees had previously been online and available year-round, as was the nomination cycle. However, that time period has been narrowed to three months: October 1-December 31, 2025. Will the Class of 2026 reflect the shoulders on which inductees have stood? Standing by.