Skipper of the Year Award / The 'Endurance' Trophy

JUNIOR SAILING PROGRAM
• ENDURANCE TROPHY •
SKIPPER OF THE YEAR

9th Awarding — 2012

The Endurance Trophy was commissioned for the LCYC Junior Sailing Program by Luis Gonzalez in 2004. Here is the text of his donation document:

Looking to the past for models of inspired leadership, the legendary 1914 expedition of Sir Edward Shackelton and his crew remind us that we are capable of far more than we realize. With healthy doses of optimism, resourcefulness, responsibility, patience, and integrity we can overcome any challenge.

Shackelton's attempt to cross Antarctica overland in 1914 resulted on one of the most incredible survival and rescue stories of all time. His ad for crew read: "Men wanted for journey. Small wage, bitter, long, cold months of complete darkness. Constant danger. Safe return doubtful. Honor and recognition in case of success." He named his boat endurance after his family's motto, "By endurance we conquer."

In August of 1914 they set sail for the South Atlantic. In October, still half a continent away from their intended base, the endurance became trapped in and eventually crushed by the Antarctic ice pack. Shackleton led his 26 crew members to safety some 17 months later. During this period the crew survived the deep freeze of an Antarctic winter, killer whales, hurricane-force winds, treacherous seas, a 1000 mile passage to South Georgia Island in an open boat, and an exceedingly difficult climb over the island's snow covered mountains to the whaling station on the other side.

Sir Raymond Priestly, British geologist, explorer, and crewmember commented: "For scientific leadership, give me Scott. For swift and efficient travel, Ammundsen. But when you are in a hopeless situation, when there seems to be no way out, get down on your knees and pray for Schackleton."

And so, in the spirit of that skipper's leadership, bravery, and resourcefulness, and the trust and willpower of his crew – and with the blessing of Shackelton's heirs – the perpetual trophy Endurance is to be awarded to the LCYC Junior Skipper of the Year.

Engraved in thick glass below a photo of Shackleton's boat in pack ice, all mounted vertically above the base:

"By
Endurance,
We
Conquer."
Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton

Engraved on plaque on base:

Lake Champlain Yacht Club
Junior Skipper of the Year Award