ISAF Beppe Croce Trophy Awarded To David Kellett
David Kellett (AUS) has been
awarded the ISAF Beppe Croce Trophy, which honours an individual for their
outstanding voluntary contribution to the sport of sailing.
The trophy, which was first awarded in 1988 in memory of Beppe Croce, ISAF
President from 1969-1986, was presented to Kellett by ISAF President Carlo
Croce at the 2014 ISAF Annual Conference in Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
Kellett is the first recipient from outside of Europe or the America’s and
on receiving the award, said, “Your Majesty, President, members of Council, fellow sailors. I am deeply
honoured to be awarded the Beppe Croce but at the same time humbled and
proud to be among the elite list of recipients.
“When I started my ocean
racing career in the late 1960’s I sailed with a man who was the Australian
representative on the ORC so I was aware of the structure of our sport. He
educated me in the responsibility we had to give something back and serve
the sport. Little did I imagine that in the late 1970’s when I started
serving my local yacht club that I embarked on a path that would lead me to
the top levels of world sailing.
“Whilst you recognise
those efforts with this award it would not have been possible without the
support of my wife Kendi and my family, you can’t spend 12 weeks a year
working for ISAF for 20 years without such support. I therefore accept this
as an honour for the both of us.
“Thank you President it
is wonderful to be recognised for something you have been passionate about
and enjoyed doing. I’m very honoured.”
Born on 14 December 1948, Kellett has been a passionate sailor throughout
his life. He started out in small boats and Olympic classes before making
the move to ocean racing and the America’s Cup.
Kellett’s first involvement in ISAF came in 1992 when he became the ISAF
Member of Council for Group L. Under the mentorship of distinguished
administrator Tony Mooney, Kellett represented the region and his
involvement and impact within ISAF was quickly felt.
From 1994-1998 Kellett was a Member of the Events Committee and played a
key role in introducing the high-performance skiff, the 49er, into the
Olympic Sailing Competition. He became a Member of the Oceanic Committee in
1997 and was vital in representing offshore sailing within ISAF.
In 1998 Kellett was elected as an ISAF Vice-President, a position he held through
to 2008. During his time as ISAF Vice-President Kellett was pivotal in the
creation of the ISAF Sailing World Championships. Having worked closely
with event organisers at a combined World Championship in Melbourne,
Australia in 1999 Kellett saw first-hand how successful the event could be.
This was the spark that led to the 2003 ISAF Worlds in Cadiz, Spain and the
largest congregation of Olympic sailors ever. Cascais, Portugal and Perth,
Australia hosted the 2007 and 2011 editions and Kellett worked closely with
the organizers of both to ensure their successful delivery.
As part of the ISAF Executive Committee, Kellett was responsible for
Oceanic sailing and the America’s Cup and made key contributions to Women’s
Match Racing, Team Racing, the ISAF Sailing World Cup and bringing sailing
closer to the public. He oversaw the introduction of the Strategic
Plan and the administration of the Advertising Code, Anti-Doping Code and
Classification Code.
Serving as Treasurer from 2008-2012, Kellett guided ISAF through a
challenging and difficult period of global financial crisis to ensure the
financial stability of the federation.
Throughout his time within ISAF Kellett filled many roles around the
Olympic Sailing Competition. For Sydney 2000 he was a Member of the 2000
Olympic Working Party, a member of the 2000 Olympic Advisory Board and
President’s liaison at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games itself.
He was part of Athens 2004, Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Olympic Management
teams and served as ISAF Technical Delegate for the Beijing 2008 and London
2012 Olympic Sailing Competitions.
Kellett is an experienced offshore sailor and has participated in the Rolex
Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race 41 times. He skippered Sovereign to line and
handicap honours in the 1987 edition and for the past 15 years has been an
integral part of the safety network, controlling the race at sea. Kellett
was also involved in three America’s Cup challenges for Australia.
In 2002 Kellett was awarded the Order of Australia for services to yachting
as a competitor and as an administrator. Kellett was awarded Yachting
Australia’s President’s Trophy in 2013 for his long services to the sport
in Australia. He is a past Commodore of Cruising Yacht Club of Australia
and through involvement in various committees over the years he was awarded
life membership at the club.
The Federazione Italiana Vela
presented the trophy to ISAF in memory of Beppe Croce, ISAF President from
1969-1986. Awarded to an individual who has made a voluntary outstanding
contribution to the sport of sailing, the ISAF Beppe Croce Trophy roll of
honour is an impressive one. Including multiple Olympic medallists, rules
gurus and designers, all have dedicated an outstanding amount of time to
the sport of sailing:
1988 His Majesty King Olav V of Norway
1989 F. Gregg Bemis (USA) / Gerald Sambrooke-Sturgess OBE (GBR)
1990 Paul Elvström (DEN)
1991 His Majesty King Juan Carlos of Spain
1992 Olin Stephens II (USA)
1993 Paul J. Phelan (CAN)
1994 Jonathan Janson (GBR)
1995 Otto Schlenzka (GER)
1996 Henry H. Anderson, JR (USA)
1997 Carlo Rolandi (ITA)
1998 Peter Tallberg (FIN)
1999 Mary Pera (GBR)
2000 Livius Sherwood (CAN)
2001 Peter Siemsen (BRA)
2002 Jan Linge (NOR)
2003 John Tinker (CAN)
2005 Paul Henderson (CAN)
2006 Ken Ryan (IRL)
2007 Jacques Rogge (BEL)
2008 Nucci Novi Ceppellini (ITA)
2009 Bill Bentsen (USA)
2010 His Majesty King Constantine
2011 James "Ding” Schoonmaker (USA)
2013 Göran Petersson (SWE)
2014 David Kellett (AUS)
More on the previous recipients http://www.sailing.org/about/isaf/awards/beppe_croce.php