Old Pulteney Single Malt Scotch Whisky and US Sailing announced this year’s finalists for the 2013 Old Pulteney Maritime Heroes Award. Now in its second year, the Maritime Heroes Award seeks out men and women across the country who are making significant contributions to their local sailing community and the overall sport of sailing. Three finalists were chosen this year.
“We continue to be impressed by how many men and women dedicate their lives to improving and preserving the sport of sailing,” said Amy Larkin, Marketing Director of US Sailing.
Each finalist was nominated by another member of their sailing community and carefully selected by Old Pulteney and US Sailing representatives.
· Don Glasell from Chicago, IL, makes sailing more accessible to inner-city kids and the disabled as a sailing instructor with the Chicago Yacht Club and the Judd Goldman Adaptive Sailing Foundation.
· Rich Goben of Descanso, CA, has committed 33 years of service on several classic passenger sailing vessels teaching, training, and mentoring countless crews.
· Michael Rorke Miller from Traverse City, MI helps at-risk youth in northern Michigan through a therapeutic sailing program, SAIL Champion.
“These finalists embody everything an Old Pulteney Maritime Hero should be: dedicated, compassionate and selfless,” said Pat Graney, President of International Beverage USA. “We recognize and appreciate the lasting impressions they have made in both their local communities and the sailing community as a whole.”
The winner will be determined by public vote and recognized at an award ceremonyin February 2014 during US Sailing’s National Sailing Programs Symposium in San Diego, California. Friends, family and members of the national maritime community are encouraged to vote for their favorite finalist. Public voting for the Old Pulteney Maritime Heroes Award will be open through December 1, 2013. For official rules please visit www.maritimeheroes.com.
About Old Pulteney
Old Pulteney Single Malt Scotch Whisky is crafted at Pulteney Distillery in Wick, Scotland. The distillery was founded in 1826 by James Henderson at the height of Wick’s herring boom. The distillery lies in the heart of “Pulteneytown,” which was one of the largest and most important herring fishing ports in Europe. Old Pulteney has a long standing association with the sea and is the official scotch of US Sailing. Its carefully crafted taste carries the windswept and rugged character of the North, the salty and fresh air of the North Sea, and the distillery’s rich maritime heritage runs through every drop of this fine malt.
About US Sailing
The United States Sailing Association (US Sailing), the national governing body for sailing, provides leadership, integrity, and growth for the sport in the United States. Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, US Sailing is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization. US Sailing offers training and education programs for instructors and race officials, supports a wide range of sailing organizations and communities, issues offshore rating certificates, and provides administration and oversight of competitive sailing across the country, including National Championships and the US Sailing Team Sperry Top-Sider. For more information, please visit www.ussailing.org.