Commodore Gillette has been involved in yacht racing for most of his 82 years, first as a junior and intercollegiate sailor in his home state of Michigan, and then as the mentor of the sport in Hawai`i since the end of World War II.

Commodore Gillette's experience covers all aspects of the sport, from dinghies to offshore maxis. He is a member of the Intercollegiate Yacht Racing Hall of Fame and has served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Trans Pacific Yacht Club for many years.

"Transpac" as it has come to be known, was at one time the longest sailboat race in the world, starting in San Pedro, California and ending in Honolulu, Hawai`i, a distance of 2,250 miles.

He became the first commodore of the Hawai`i Yacht Racing Association (HYRA), when it was formed in 1966, and subsequently served as secretary of HYRA from 1969 to 1985. He has served as commodore of the Kaneohe Yacht Club twice and been Commodore of the Royal Hawaiian Ocean Racing Club since its inception in 1985.

He was one of the first members of the US SAILING judges committee and acted as regional administrative judge for Area H-W from the beginning of that program until 1991. He has also been the Area H member of the board of directors of US SAILING for many years, rotating every three years with the representative from area H-E.

Gillette was one of the originators of the umpiring program that was first tested with the International Class A Yachting Association (Maxis) in Newport, Rhode Island, in 1985, and assisted in establishing the International Yacht Racing Union's (IYRU) umpiring program.

He has been an IYRU judge and umpire since the origination of both of the above programs and has been involved in numerous America's Cup programs in both capacities.

In addition, he has been an active member of the Council of Sailing Associations for nearly 30 years, during which time he has made significant contributions to that body.

There are very few people who have spent the number of years dedicated to the sport of sailing that Commodore Gillette has. The award of the Herreshoff Trophy to this outstanding member of the sailing community is a fitting tribute to his tireless and continuing commitment to the advancement of the sport of sailing.

This trophy is emblematic of the highest level of service to the sport, and Commodore Gillette has surpassed it.

The Nathanael G. Herreshoff Trophy was donated in 1957 by the National Marine Manufacturers Association and is awarded annually to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the sport of sailing in this country in any associated activity. It is the United States Sailing Association's most prestigious award.

The recipient is selected by the Board of Directors from nominations solicited during the month of August and made by members of the Board, Committee Chairs, Past Presidents and Counselors of Honor.

Carol Hogan
Ocean Promotion