Updated October 28, 1999
Reprinted with permission from SCUTTLEBUTT
Recent discussion in
SCUTTLEBUTT, a daily (weekdays) e-mail
sailing newsletter have included who should be nominated and awarded the US Rolex
Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year. Here is some recent discussion regarding why Howard
Hamlin and Mike Martin should be nominated for, and awarded this recognition.
SCUTTLEBUTT #422 - October 20, 1999
-- From Stephanie Keefe -- Howard Hamlin and Mike
Martin are also potential candidates for the Rolex awards. Their 1999 race record: 505
California State Champs 1st; 505 North Americans 1st; 505 World championships 1st (largest
505 worlds ever. 157 boats); 505 Pacific Coast Championship 1st.
Howard and Mike took first at the 1999 5o5 World
Championships in Quiberon, France, with scores of 2,2,2,1, (DNS) in a fleet of 157, the
largest 5o5 Worlds fleet in history. The team also took top honors at the at the 1999 5o5
North Americans in Corpus Christi, Texas, with scores of 1,1,2,1,1,1 and won the 1999 5o5
Pacific Coast Championship in Santa Cruz, California. In addition to their 5o5 sailing,
Howard and Mike won a heat at the 18-Foot Skiff World Championships (J.J. Gilitnan
Trophy), only the second time in the 60-year history of the regatta that an American Team
has won a race.
In addition to their sailing accomplishments, Howard
and Mike were the catalysts behind the design of their winning boat and foils. Twenty
years ago, Howard designed and built the 5o5 mold that produced the boat the team sailed
to victory in Quiberon. Mike refined the design of 5o5 foils, creating new high-aspect
ratio blades that the team used in Quiberon.
Mike's blades were also used on the second and 12th
place boats. Long-standing members of US Sailing, Howard is also a past international 5o5
class president and Mike is the immediate past president of the national 5o5 class.
SCUTTLEBUTT #423 - October 21, 1999
-- From Rob Waterman -- Chris Ericksen should be
supporting fellow ABYC members Howard Hamlin and Mike Martin for Rolex Co-Yachtsmen of the
Year! Not only did they win the '99 5-0-5 Worlds against 156 other boats in a hull Howard
designed and on blades Mike designed; they have helped a lot of geezers like me get up to
speed too. The small but enthusiastic local 5-0-5 fleet has world-class speed (1, 2 and 14
in Quiberon), thanks mainly to the enthusiasm and hard work Mike and Howard have put
in--we're talking summers of clinics. Chris (and everybody else) should give Howard and
Mike the support they have earned.
SCUTTLEBUTT #426 - October 26, 1999
-- From Pete Melvin -- The team of Howard Hamlin and
Mike Martin have significantly raised the level of 505 sailing in this country. They have
tirelessly promoted and developed the class by actively recruiting the best sailors and
unselfishly sharing their information. Prior to this years' much-deserved win at the 505
Worlds, they finished second in the last three Worlds. This year and last year, American
505 sailors finished first and second in the Worlds. It was no coincidence that most of
the equipment and tuning used by these teams was developed by the Mike and Howard. These
guys get my vote for Sailor of the Year.
SCUTTLEBUTT #427 - October 27, 1999
-- From John Roberson -- This is just a quick note
regarding Pete Melvin's letter about Howard Hamlin and Mike Martin's win in the 505
Worlds. To my mind, this is one of the all time great achievements in the world of one
design dinghy racing. It rates alongside winning the Star worlds. The 505 is the greatest
one design dinghy of all time, and probably one of the hardest one design dinghy
championships to win. Just take a look at the history on the class, and see how many of
the "greats" from this class have gone on to be "greats" in our sport.
SCUTTLEBUTT #428 - October 28, 1999
-- From Bruce Hollis, Sydney, Aus. -- Howie Hamlin
and Mike Martin have been competing in the Giltinan Shield on Sydney Harbour over the last
few years. They have added to the media interest in the event by being very competitive -
they are talented sailors and technicians and their achievements in the 505 are
tremendous. Howie and Mike are good blokes. There are many people here who would enjoy
seeing two such down to earth gentlemen formally recognised by their sports' national
authority.