THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE TO SAILING AWARD 2009

This year the award goes to someone who has distinguished herself through a lifetime of commitment to the sport.

She has sailed in every kind of boat that has been raced in Marblehead over the past years. She has an unparalleled reputation as a crew member.

But that's not how many, perhaps most, of us here know her.

We know her through her tireless on and off the water race management efforts. This is not just about setting courses. It is not just about getting the finish order right.

It's about organizing and running events that world class sailors WANT to enter. She has already been asked to be P.R.O. for three North American or world championship events next year, and it is only November.

Her mother, Hazel told me a story about her. She had joined the Eastern Yacht Club race committee, the first woman to do so. The men on the committee wouldn't let her do much, so she threatened to resign. That wouldn't do. Within a few short years she was running the committee. Hazel said, "Don't ever ask my little Susie to do anything if you don't want it done."

You may not know that she is a first grade teacher. This carries through in all that she does. Sometimes it shows a compassion, caring and understanding. Sometimes it shows up when we sailors start acting like children, and she uses her skills to bring us back in line.

Her love of children shows in the races she runs for juniors. She runs those events with the same dedication she brings to the adult events. I can't imagine running a line with one hundred and twenty Optimist dinghies with kids between age 7 and 15. Or 100 420s.

The kids know her by name. They respect her, and appreciate the effort she puts in. To them she is not a faceless race committee, but the same "Black Flag Susie" we all know.

The Distinguished service to sailing award goes to someone who is gracious and generous and giving with her time and knowledge, Susan Schneider.