Once again, as this year's sailing season closed out, the "best and the brightest" were recognized for their devotion to the spirit and sport of sailing (and maybe a little ribbing for not-so-impressive moments of glory)!

Those in attendance packed the house at this year's event on November 22 and saw sailors receive long-coveted traditional trophies, along with a new memorial award added to the lineup.

(left to right) Past Commodore Roger Werner, Sally Laura and Fleet Captain Sail Mike Milburn present the new Swiftsure Kelly O'Neil Henson Memorial Trophy to Mike McQuaid (Night Runner crew member accepting for Doug Fryer)

Sally Laura donated a beautiful trophy in memory of Kelly O'Neil Henson - and kudos to Emmett Day who skillfully crafted the wonderful wood base it is mounted upon (you should know he has worked behind the scenes to create many unique and distinguished trophy bases for the Club).

Keeping in mind that you can never thank volunteers enough, place only a brief spotlight on great performances over a year, and take but a short pause to reflect upon the joy and sometimes humor of sailing that fills our memory of the boating season, we bring you the highlights of the 2004 SYC Sailboat Awards and the deserving recipients:

SYC Mini 12 Fleet Awards
Mini 12 Fleet Championship - Marda Phelps/Mike Milburn
Happy Foot (the Fleet's most disappointing performance by a distinguished sailor) - Stacey Wilson
Mini 12 Fleet Spirit Award - Frank Lawrence

Swiftsure Kelly O'Neil Henson Memorial Trophy - This is a new SYC Best Performance trophy to recognize the highest placed SYC boat in the Swiftsure International Yacht Race with the greatest finish time ahead of its class competitors - Night Runner - Doug Fryer

Cruising Sailboat of the Year - Jack and Marion Sullivan

Ruptured Eardrum Award (SYC Race Committee Member) - Rhonda Halfman and Dave McCallum

Bob Gibbons - One Design Sailor of the Year - Jay and Lisa Renehan

Half Vast Award (for inexplicable behavior while boating) - Roger Werner (...something about helming someone else's yacht, during a international joint cruise, to a place where there were too many witnesses and not enough water under the hull - oh my!)

Lake Union Sailing Trophy (Outstanding Crew Member)- Mike Massa

Golden Potlatch (Outstanding SYC Racer/Cruiser) - Paul Walchenbach

Bates McKee - Sailboat of the Year - Declaration of Independence - Brian Watkins

Marymont Trophy - SYC Sailor of the Year - Brian Watkins

William W. Heylman Memorial Award (awarded for excellence regarding any sailboat-oriented member of SYC whose participation in and promotion of SYC sailing activities, along with meritous conduct that enhances the image and prestige of the Club) - Kelly O'Neil Henson

Bellwether Trophy (for outstanding service to sailors & sailboat racing) - Ed von Wolffersdorff

All in all, it was a great opportunity for sailors gather at a formal event onshore to celebrate excellence in sailing! To event co-Chairs Bobbi and Bruce Campbell go many thanks for a great job putting a fine dining and awards night experience together. And in turn, of course, the Campbells want to recognize the tremendous efforts of those on their subcommittee, the SYC Trophy Committee - and so many others behind the scenes that made this a successful and fun event!