Racing, Regattas, and Awards
Here is a list of the “Deed of Gift” documents for all the races, regattas, and awards organized by the Thunderbird Sailing Club.
COMMODORE’S CUP SERIES AND TROPHIES
DEED OF GIFT
The Commodore’s Cup Trophies will be awarded annually to the qualifying skippers who meet the requirements herein specified and have the lowest point score within the Commodore’s Cup Series. Separate trophies will be awarded to Spinnaker and Cruising (non-spinnaker) Fleets. The series and trophies are intended to encourage Thunderbird Sailing Club members to compete on a consistent basis and officiate in Thunderbird Sailing Club events. The trophies also recognize sailing ability.
DESCRIPTION: The Commodore’s Cup Series will consist of at least six events, and these events will be specified on the Thunderbird Sailing Club race schedule. The Race, Protest and Measurement Committee will select the events that will comprise the Commodore’s Cup Series, and so designate them on the schedule.
ELIGIBILITY: To qualify for the Commodore’s Cup, a skipper must be a member in good standing of the Thunderbird Sailing Club and must have served on the Race Committee for a Thunderbird Sailing Club event during the current year.
SELECTION PROCESS: In determining the winner of each trophy, the low point scoring system will be used with one (1) point for each first place, two (2) points for second place, three (3) points for third, etc. All events not raced will be scored DNS (Did Not Start). Each qualifying skipper will be allowed two (2) throw outs. One of these throw-outs will be for Race Committee duty, if performed for a series qualifying race. The remaining throw-out will be applied to an event not sailed in followed by highest score(s), worst finish, and for events actually sailed in, in that order. Scoring points will be determined at the end of the Commodore’s Cup Series and will be based on the finishing position of each qualifying skipper in relationship to the finishing position of the other qualifying skippers. The positions of non-qualifying skippers in each event are to be discarded. The scoring applies separately to both fleets.
In accordance with the Racing Rules of Sailing 2005-2008, Appendix A9; DNS, DNF, RAF, or DSQ points will be based on the number of qualifying skippers that come to the starting area, by fleet, plus one (1). For a skipper that did not come to the starting area, points will be based on the total number of qualifying skippers, by fleet, plus one (1). DSQ (disqualified) points cannot be thrown out.
In the event that a qualifying skipper has sailed in both fleets, scoring will be based on the results of the fleet in which the skipper sailed the majority of events. Competition in the other fleet will be scored as DNS and the skipper will not be considered as qualified; in the fleet he is not being scored with. In the event that an otherwise qualified skipper competed in an equal number of events in each fleet, that skipper will be so noted as having qualified; but his results in all races in both fleets will not be included in the scoring of other qualified skippers.
The Fleet Captain is responsible for determining the qualifying, and doing the scoring of Commodore’s Cup skippers. A written summary of the scoring will be presented to the Commodore for concurrence prior to having any trophies engraved or presented.
THE AWARDS SHALL CONSIST OF: The awards shall be perpetual trophies and remain the property of Thunderbird Sailing Club. The winners of the trophies are responsible for the trophies while they are in their possession. In addition to the trophies, there should also be a small engraved plaque for each of the winners to keep as recognition of their accomplishment. This plaque will be presented at the same time the trophies are presented.
PREPARATION OF THE PLAQUE: The Fleet Captain will be responsible for retrieving the trophies from the previous year’s winners.
PRESENTATION OF THE TROPHIES AND PLAQUES: The time and place of the awards ceremony for the Commodore’s Cup trophies will be determined by the Thunderbird Sailing Club Executive Committee. The trophies are traditionally presented at the annual Holiday Party.
THUNDERBIRD SAILING CLUB HIRAM DOUGLAS MEMORIAL REGATTA AND TROPHY DEED OF GIFT
(As of 11/83; modified 2/91; 2/97; 2/01; revised 10/14/02 jap)
Lake Patrolman Hiram Douglas was a long-time friend of the Thunderbird Sailing Club. Upon his death in 1983, the Thunderbird Sailing Club deemed it appropriate to dedicate a regatta to Patrolman Douglas.
- The Hiram Douglas Memorial Regatta is held annually in the first half of November. It is meant as an end-of-campaign event.
- The event is composed of a single long-distance race.
- The event is an open event. Weather and safety considerations may influence the type and size of boats invited to participate in any given year. The Notice of Regatta shall specify the type and length restrictions and fleets that shall apply. A reasonable fee defraying costs of amenities and trophies will be collected with any surplus funds going to support the TSC racing program
- Trophies will be awarded to winning skippers in each fleet and to placing skippers as specified in the Notice of Regatta.
- The Hiram Douglas Perpetual Trophy will be award to the skipper of the boat having the lowest corrected time in the largest fleet. In the event of two or more equally sized fleets, and unequal course lengths, the trophy will be awarded to the boat with the lowest corrected time in the fleet sailing the longest course.
- The Hiram Douglas Perpetual Trophy will “travel” with the winning skipper each year. The trophy remains the property of the Thunderbird Sailing Club.
- Each winner of the trophy is to serve as its steward during the year following its award. The Thunderbird Sailing Club is responsible for maintaining the trophy and for providing an engraved plaque with the year and the skipper’s name, to be attached to the trophy. The trophy is to be returned to the Thunderbird Sailing Club elected officers prior to the succeeding Hiram Douglas Memorial Regatta
Jerry Layton Memorial Catalina 25 Match Race Regatta and Trophy
Jerry Layton was the Commodore of the Thunderbird Sailing Cub from January 1992 until May of 1992. Upon his death in 1992, the Club deemed it appropriate to dedicate a regatta to Jerry Layton.
THUNDERBIRD SAILING CLUB MOST IMPROVED SAILOR CUP DEED OF GIFT
(As of 2/90; modified 2/97)
The Most Improved Sailor award was established in 1990 by the Executive Committee of the Thunderbird Sailing Club, to recognize the sailor whose sailing abilities have improved the most over the past year. The award is a silver cup donated by Vesta and Charles Gettys, and is engraved “Thunderbird Sailing Club – Most Improved Sailor.”
The selection of the most improved sailor shall be made by the Fleet Captain in consultation with the Race Protest Committee. The Fleet Captain may rely upon input from other Thunderbird Sailing Club members in making the selection. The cup will be awarded at the end of the season, traditionally at the Holiday Party.
The cup shall remain the property of Thunderbird Sailing Club. The winner is to retain the cup for the year following it’s presentation. The Fleet Captain will be responsible for obtaining the cup from the winner and returning it to the Executive Committee prior to the next awards ceremony. This cup will not be engraved with the name of the winner each year. Thunderbird Sailing Club is responsible for maintaining the cup.
SNAFU TROPHY DEED OF GIFT
(As of 2/91; modified 11/2007)
The origin and initial intent of the Chief Thunderbird Trophy remains shrouded in mystery, the trophy has been used to recognize superb skill in running aground at critical times in critical situations, breaking masts, blowing sails, buying a whole set of new sails and still finishing last, and other similar feats of skill. However, the cup may also be awarded to show appreciation for service to the Thunderbird Sailing Club.
- The elected officers will select the winner of the trophy, depending primarily on the input of the Fleet Captain.
- The very nature of the trophy mandates that the winner be made fully aware, by public announcement, why they are receiving the award.
- The trophy will be awarded at the end of the sailing season, traditionally at the Holiday Party.
- The trophy remains the property of the Thunderbird Sailing Club and is retained in stewardship by the winner until returned to the Fleet Captain in November of the ensuing year. The Thunderbird Sailing Club is responsible for maintaining the trophy.
THUNDERBIRD SAILING CLUB SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD DEED OF GIFT
(As of 6/92; modified 2/97)
DESCRIPTION: The award shall be presented annually to the Thunderbird Sailing Club member who best exemplifies good sportsmanship while observing United States Sailing Association and Thunderbird Sailing Club rules. The nominees shall exhibit a willingness to share their sailing experience and knowledge with their colleagues and competitors alike. They shall encourage participation in the sport and membership in the Thunderbird Sailing Club. The award also recognizes their promotion and observance of marine safety. The award will be conferred for the calendar year, starting January 1 through the final Thunderbird Sailing Club regatta for the year (The Hiram Douglas Regatta).
THE AWARD SHALL CONSIST OF: A plaque from the US Sailing Association, which will have the person’s name permanently engraved. This plaque will remain the property of the Thunderbird Sailing Club, but may be kept in stewardship by the winner until the subsequent year’s winner is selected. If a permanent facility for the Thunderbird Sailing Club is constructed, the award will be permanently displayed in the building. In addition to the plaque, the winner will also receive a framed certificate from the US Sailing Association.
ELIGIBILITY: Skipper’s eligibility for nomination for the award shall include those skippers, Thunderbird Sailing Club members, who have qualified for the Thunderbird Sailing Club Commodore’s Cup during the racing season. In addition to the qualifying skippers, any member of the Thunderbird Sailing Club could be nominated. e.g. a crew, or non-boat owner who regularly participates in Thunderbird Sailing Club activities, and shares his/her knowledge with others.
The winner of the award shall not be eligible for the award during consecutive years.
The elected officers, as defined in the By-Laws, (Commodore, Vice-Commodore, Rear Commodore, Secretary , Treasurer and Fleet Captain) shall not be eligible during the year in which they serve.
NOMINATION PROCESS: A call for nominations will be made via the October edition of the Mainsheet.. Nominations, with comments attached, must be submitted in writing, and signed by the nominating member. Nominations must be received no later than the Hiram Douglas Regatta and shall be mailed or forwarded to the Secretary, or any of the elected officers.
SELECTION PROCESS: The Secretary will be responsible for forwarding the nominees to the Commodore. The elected officers will make the final selection from those nominated.
PREPARATION OF THE CERTIFICATE AND PLAQUE: It is the responsibility of the Vice-Commodore to have the certificate appropriately printed and the plaque engraved per instructions from the elected officers.
PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATE AND PLAQUE: It is the responsibility of the Vice-Commodore to obtain the plaque in November from the previous winner and have the new winner’s name engraved. The winner of the award from the previous year will make the presentation at the annual Holiday Party. If the winner, or his/her representative is not present, the Commodore will make the presentation.
THUNDERBIRD SUMMER OPEN REGATTA AND TROPHY Deed of Gift
(As of 10/91; modified 2/97)
The Thunderbird Summer Open Regatta is an annual event traditionally held in the month of June. The event is to be a two-day event consisting of two, short-course races and a long distance race. The event is to be an open event.
- Monohull classes are to compete unless multihull classes are specifically permitted in the Notice of Regatta. Fleets will be grouped as specified in the Notice of Regatta.
- A fee will be collected from participants to defray the costs of amenities and trophies. Any surplus funds that are generated are to be used to support the Thunderbird Sailing Club racing program.
- Trophies will be awarded to fleet winners and to placing skippers as specified in the Notice of Regatta.
- The skipper of the “best performing” boat competing in the event will be awarded the perpetual trophy. “Best performing” is defined as that boat having the lowest total points in a fleet of no less than four (4) boats. Ties will be broken in favor of the boat with the lowest cumulative corrected time on equal courses.
- The trophy is the property of Thunderbird Sailing Club. It will be held in stewardship by the winning skipper until the succeeding year; at which time, it will be returned to the elected officers of Thunderbird Sailing Club. Thunderbird Sailing Club is responsible for providing an engraved plaque with the year and skipper’s name to be attached to the trophy and for maintaining the trophy.
THUNDERBIRD SAILING CLUB CHARTER GROUP THE “UNCLE DONNIE” AWARD DEED OF GIFT
Be it known by all those present that this prestigious award is named in honor of Capt. Donald E. Cummings of Tilghman Island, Maryland. “Uncle” Donnie is a life-long resident of Tilghman and has been a Chesapeake Bay waterman since he was sixteen years of age. “Uncle” Donnie is a character; yet he epitomizes the love of the water, his family, his profession, and his concern for the future of his craft and the Chesapeake Bay.
He and his wife Jo Ann were most gracious hosts to our club during the 1995 TSC Charter Group’s Chesapeake Bay Cruise. They visited with us at Dun’s Cove located off Harris Creek, had dinner with us at Higgins Crabhouse and provided transportation for club members to and from the dinner. On Saturday morning they welcomed six of us to their home at 5:45 a.m., had hot coffee and donuts ready and took the group for an unforgettable crabbing trip on the Choptank River. Donnie never expected anything in return othe than the enjoyment of making new friends and sharing his very humorous and entertaining yarns with an attentive audience.
His wonderful sense of humor, knowledge of the Bay, desire to teach others, and demonstration of his skills helped make our Chesapeake Bay Cruise an extraordinary experience.
- The award consists of a ‘traveling trophy’ to be kept by the winner until the ensuing winner is announced. The trophy consists of a Chesapeake Bay Blue Crab mounted on a plaque. The plaque should be displayed in a conspicuous area of the winner’s home or office, and it should be handled with the utmost care. Yes, there will be verification of display
- The trophy shall not have the winner’s name engraved.
- The award shall be given when deserved, but not more often than annually, to the TSC Charter Group member or TSC member who best exemplifies Uncle Donnie’s qualities as described previously.
- When the “TSC Charter Group” is inactive, Les Cummings (Uncle Donnie’s Nephew) and Roger Elliott or their designees shall select the annual “Uncle” Donnie Award recipient.
NOTE: “Uncle” Donnie passed away at 55 years of age on March 31 2000, and the “Uncle” Donnie Award was prominently mentioned in his eulogy at his funeral. Over 300 people attended his funeral and several memorial donations were made to the BoatHouse in his honor.
Winners Since Inception
- 1995 – Mark Wilson
- 1996 – Frank Lawler
- 1997 – Roger Elliott
- 1998 – Dave and Joyce Craigie
- 1999 – Paul Reynolds
- 2000 – Cheri Elliott and Barbara Cummings
- 2001 – Chad and Pat Cox
- 2002 – Phil Moershel
- 2003 – Howard Haines
- 2004 – Vesta Gettys
- 2005 – Karen Mellgren and Kerry Knowles
- 2006 – Dave and Rita Hendricks
- 2007 – Jim and Bea Waller
- 2008 – Ed and Doris Shoemaker
- 2009 – Jerry and Linda Lojka
- 2010 – Marilyn Friend
- 2011 – Karen Thurston
- 2012 – Matt Maupin
- 2013 – Rick Shaw
- 2014 – Sam and Sheryl Tiffany
- 2015 – Jim Eller
- 2016 – Les Cummings
- 2017 – Lorrie Sylvester
- 2018 – David Gray