Disney awarded

US Sailing present their Nathanael G Herreshoff Trophy

US Sailing has awarded its prestigious Nathanael G. Herreshoff Trophy to Roy E. Disney for his outstanding contributions to the sport of sailing in the US over many years. Disney was unable to attend last night's awards ceremony at US Sailing's Annual Meeting in St. Petersburg, for a good reason: Disney's feature film Morning Light - about sailing - was released nationwide last night.

In Disney's absence at the awards ceremony, Gary Jobson - member of US Sailing's Board of Directors - showed an on-camera interview with Disney, recorded last week, in which Disney said after hearing he was receiving the Herreshoff Trophy: "I was blown away and very surprised." He thanked everyone involved, adding "It's really a thrill."

Roy E. Disney's involvement in the sport goes back decades. As a long-time, reliable supporter of the sport, his impact has been has been felt across the board: from youth sailing to the Olympic level of the sport and beyond. When US Sailing created the medalist donor program to support the athletes of the US Sailing Team AlphaGraphics, Disney was the first donor to jump on board at the highest level. He is also a top contributor to the California International Sailing Association and several other sailing organizations.

Not only does Disney support various levels of the sport, he is also an accomplished sailor with many titles to his name. He has set records in many of offshore races, including the Transpac Race (which he has sailed 16 times and won once), the Chicago Mackinac Race, and the Newport-Bermuda Race.

Combining his passion for sailing and for filmmaking, Disney is a powerful voice for sailing, as well as a promoter. His just-released real-life documentary movie Morning Light, which he co-produced with his wife Leslie DeMeuse-Disney, puts a new spotlight on the sport of sailing. The highly-acclaimed film features young sailors preparing for and competing in the Transpac race. The film is currently being played at theatres nationwide and is distributed by Disney Studios.