SAIL Magazine Leadership Award
to Johnstone Family
SAIL Magazine presented the "Industry Leadership Award" to the
Johnstone Family for its many contributions to the sport. Speaking at the magazine’s
reception at SAIL EXPO, Publisher Don MacAuley praised the Johnstones for their vision in
creating numerous sailing enterprises that have introduced thousands to the sport. This is
the first time that the award has been made to an entire family rather than to an
individual or two.
Among Johnstone family accomplishments over the past 25 years are the founding
of the United States Youth Sailing Championship; SAIL 75 Wilmette, a successful community
boating program; J World Sailing School of Newport RI, San Diego, Key West and Annapolis;
J Boats, Inc. of Newport RI with their line of performance keelboats from 22 to 53 feet
which started with the International J/24; JY Sailboats of East Lyme CT, a manufacturer of
the JY 15 and a line of other molded small boats; and Sunfish-Laser of Portsmouth RI,
builder of the recently introduced Escape and Olympic 49er.
The Johnstones are also very supportive of Women’s sailing. Jeff’s
wife Mary is Chair of US Sailing’s International Keelboat Championship and J Boats
helped sponsor the BOAT US Santa Maria Cup and the recently formed Women’s
International Match Racing Association
Present for receiving the brass cannon award were J/Boats’ founding
partners Bob Johnstone of West Boothbay Harbor ME and Rod Johnstone of Stonington CT. Alan
Johnstone, Vice President of J/Boats, Inc. and Jim Johnstone, J/Boats’ Sales Manager.
Also present from the Johnstone family was Peter Johnstone, former President of
Sunfish-Laser, Inc. Absent were J Boats’ President Jeff Johnstone who sailed in the
20th Anniversary J/24 Midwinters in Key West with 100 boats competing &
David Eck (husband of Wendy Burkhalter Eck, a niece) President of JY Sailboats was also
unable to attend. Others involved in the above businesses are Bobette and John of
Stonington CT as well as Phil Johnstone, J/Boats' Attorney from New London CT..
Other Johnstone family members cited for their past contributions were Clay
Burkhalter of Stonington, CT, Stuart Johnstone of Chicago IL, Drake Johnstone of
Washington DC and Helen Johnstone. Bob’s and Rod’s wives, the Rev. Mary and
Lucia Johnstone (respectively) were also honored.
Bob Johnstone commented on receiving the award, "Sailing is the
world’s best family sport. It teaches interdependency, responsibility. It is a shared
adventure, which this family is blessed with carrying into a profession. On behalf of all
families sailing, SAIL should be congratulated in recognizing the role of family in the
sport".
|
