In a heartfelt and exciting moment at the Sonar World Championship regatta dinner at Noroton Yacht Club in Darien, Connecticut, Gene Hinkel was honored with the prestigious US Sailing President’s Award. The presentation, made by Betsy Alison on behalf of US Sailing President Rich Jepsen, came as a pleasant surprise to both Hinkel and the gathered crowd.
The President’s Award is given by the Board President to people who have made exceptional contributions to the sport of sailing and US Sailing. The Board President has discretion in who receives the award.
“In your midst, you have an individual who has dedicated countless hours to ensuring that all sailors are able to get out on the water and compete at a high level,” said Alison in her award presentation remarks. “In the early days of Paralympic Sailing, he started creating adaptations that enabled sailors to maximize their abilities on the water, so that they could compete on an equal footing with able bodied counterparts.”
Hinkel, fondly known as the “Grandfather of Disabled Sailing,” has dedicated over 30 years to advancing adaptive sailing. From creating adaptations for Paralympic sailors to tirelessly ensuring fair competition as a class measurer, Hinkel’s contributions have been instrumental in the development of inclusive sailing.
Hinkel’s sailing experience spans disciplines worldwide. “On any given day, you might find Gene trailering boats up and down the coast, on a flight to Ireland to sail in Cork week or acting as bosun at an adaptive regatta anywhere in the country,” added Alison.
US Sailing President Rich Jepsen remarked, “Gene Hinkel has lived a life of service for the sport we all love. His professional and volunteer careers are legendary, and he is universally loved and respected for his unselfish devotion to enabling all, regardless of physical ability, to compete.” 
Hinkel was visibly moved by the recognition and expressed gratitude for the impact he has made in the lives of many sailors, particularly within the Sonar class. This award highlights his long, illustrious, and meritorious service to Para sailing and underscores his status as a role model for all service-minded sailors.
**Photo Credit:** David Trost, featuring Rick Doerr, silver medalist in Sonar from the 2016 Paralympic Games, who nominated Hinkel for the award.