THE 1991 AWARDS

The 1991 Awards were presented at the Annual Dinner, held at the Royal Thames Yacht Club on 20 March, when the following citations were read out:

The Barton Cup - Denise Evans

Water Music Trophy - Liz Hammick & Mark Scott

Award of Merit - Trevor Osben

David Wallis Trophy - Mark Scott

THE BARTON CUP - Denise Evans, Dunlin of Wessex

`Very occasionally one reads an account of a sailing adventure that has what you might call a high tingle factor. Denise Evans, her son Peter and a friend set off in Dunlin of Wessex, a Tradewind 33, to circumnavigate Australia and explore Patagonia in the steps of that intrepid sailor, Bill Tilman. Twice they were blown back in the entrance to the Magellan Straits in winds that reached dizzy speeds, and only just managed it at the third attempt. There were serious engine problems to contend with as well.

Dunlin sailed through the Beagle Channel and south to Wollaston Islands reaching, though not rounding, Cape Horn. They then cruised north along the coast of Chile, through Panama and home via Bermuda, arriving back in June 1991. This was an extraordinary and outstanding voyage and one that truly deserves the Barton Cup.'

(Denise's account of the first part of her cruise, In Tilman's Wake, appeared in Flying Fish 1991/2. The second installment will be found on page 00 of this issue.)

THE WATER MUSIC TROPHY - Liz Hammick & Mark Scott, Lone Rival

`The rules stipulate that the Water Music Trophy shall be "awarded to the member or members who have contributed most to the club by way of providing cruising information, navigation and pilotage". It is not bestowed lightly, and was not awarded in 1990 as it was felt that no one had reached the required standard.

However this was more than made up for in 1991, when the Cruising Information Service had to invest in extra files to hold all the notes that came in. The crews of two yachts in particular were responsible for this happy state - Pat and Mike Pocock aboard Blackjack, for notes about ports on the West Coast of the United States, Mexico and in the Pacific; and Liz Hammick and Mark Scott aboard Lone Rival, for information on Malaysia, the Indian Ocean, South Africa and the South Atlantic.

On examining the contributions sent in from both yachts, it was the unanimous decision of the Awards Sub-Committee that the Water Music Trophy for 1991 should go to Liz Hammick and Mark Scott. It was also felt that particular mention should be made of the excellent presentation of their notes - clear, carefully written, and nearly always containing a sketch chart or harbour plan. They have set a high standard for future years.'

AWARD OF MERIT - Trevor Osben, Chess

Trevor Osben was awarded the OCC Award of Merit (open to Non-Members) for his remarkable singlehanded cruise around the world in a 20ft boat he built himself. His citation, together with his own brief account of the voyage, appears on page OO of this issue.

THE DAVID WALLIS TROPHY - Mark Scott, Lone Rival

`The David Wallis Trophy is being awarded for the first time. As members will recall, David took over as Editor of Flying Fish in 1962, and remained in the hot seat until his death two years ago. In 1989 he was awarded the Water Music Trophy "in recognition of his twenty-seven years as our patient and painstaking editor".

The club was very touched to learn from David's sister, Mrs Mary Coulter, that his family wished to present a trophy in his memory, and after some thought it was suggested to the Committee that the trophy should be presented annually `for the most valuable contribution to Flying Fish'. It was also suggested that the recipient should be decided by vote amongst the seven members of the Flying Fish Editorial Sub-Committee.

In 1991 three members stood head and shoulders above the competition in the opinion of the Sub-Committee : Alan Logan for his Return to the Black Sea, Mike Johnson for his Capsize in the Southern Ocean, and Mark Scott for Cruising in Malaysia and Coconut Island.'

Mrs Mary Coulter, who was a guest of the Club that evening, then presented the David Wallis Trophy to Mark Scott, expressing the hope that `he would use it to keep a bottle of whisky on, as big brother would have done'.

Recommendations for Awards should be sent either to the Club Secretary or direct to Kitty Hampton, Chairman of the Awards Sub-Committee. Details of requirements and regulations for each Award appear on page 12 of the current Members' Handbook. 30th November is quoted as the last date for receipt, but it eases the work of the Sub-Committee if nominations are received earlier whenever possible.

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