ISAF Beppe Croce Trophy

Athens, Greece

On 11th November 2010 in Athens, Greece, International Sailing Federation (ISAF) President Göran Petersson presented His Majesty King Constantine with the ISAF Beppe Croce Trophy.

The ISAF Beppe Croce Trophy is presented to an individual who has made an outstanding voluntary contribution to the sport of sailing. In memory of Beppe Croce, the ISAF President from 1969-1986, the Federazione Italiana Vela presented the Trophy to the ISAF and it was awarded for the first time in 1988.

The roll of honor is an impressive one, including multiple Olympic medallists, rules gurus and designers, and all have dedicated an outstanding amount of time to the sport of sailing.

The presentation of the ISAF Beppe Croce Trophy took place at an elegant dinner, held at the Yacht Club of Greece attended by ISAF representatives, past winners of the Trophy, family and friends.

Presenting the Trophy, ISAF President, Göran Petersson said:

 

 "We are here tonight for a very special occasion. The awarding of the ISAF Beppe Croce Trophy to His Majesty King Constantine in recognition of his outstanding voluntary contribution and devotion to the sport of sailing and the Olympic Movement.

In recent years, it was never a question that His Majesty would not be a recipient of the Beppe Croce trophy; it was only a matter of when. It is also fitting that we celebrate this Award here tonight in the very Club from where he started his involvement, training and competition in sailing."

 

His Majesty's record of service to the International Sailing Federation spans more than 50 years. Since 1960, when he first became involved with ISAF, he has given his time and experience to many areas of the sport of sailing.

   

Outside the Yacht Club was Nereus, the Dragon which His Majesty helmed at the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome and joining the reception were his two crew members, Odysseus Eskitsoglou and Georgios Zaimis.

 

Below you will find the text of ISAF President Goran Peterssons' speech as well as pictures from the event.