February 12, 2004, Miami, FL – A record number of journalists participated in the John Southam Awards for excellence in sailing communications this year, it was announced by Sail America Vice President of Marketing Sally Helme, who served as chief judge of the annual competition. A total number of 156 contest entries from as many as 31 states were posted, delivering 53,135,739 total media impressions. Winners were announced by Helme during the Miami International Boat Show Press Breakfast.

Winning the $5000 Cash Grand Prize and Crystal Cup originally submitted in the magazine category is Sports Illustrated Senior Writer Alexander Wolff whose two-page feature entitled “Mast APPEAL” addressed the development of ‘Sail Newport’ which was “pledged to preserving the sport in the American city most identified with it” after Dennis Conner’s loss forced the New York Yacht Club turn over the America’s Cup for the first time in 132 years.

Writing with a positive portrayal of Newport, RI as local yachtsmen “saw a chance to alter the destiny of the sport in one of the finest sailing environments in the world,” the article addressed how Sail Newport’s facility hosts nearly 50 sailing events a year including the Newport Regatta with hundreds of boats in 21 classes, from dinghies to yachts, with a focus on community perspective: “Sailing should be every bit as much a community activity as the bay is public property.”

Another positive note came from Brad Read, executive director of Sail Newport, who explained in the article how a local 12-year-old sailor has the opportunity to “sail with some of the best in the sport” who train and participate in Sail Newport competitions. “Looking back, losing the Cup was probably the best thing that could have happened for our sport,” Read said. “Sailing here is more than alive and well, it’s dynamic.” Wolff’s article also included a website address to locate additional sports information in Rhode Island.

“While there were plenty of really excellent articles and media coverage this year about sailing, the Sports Illustrated article stood out because it had positive power in positioning the sport and lifestyle, and showing how one facility has made major successful community strides,” said Helme. “We seek a welcoming and positive portrayal of sailing that reaches a non-sailing audience and that encourages participation, with a unique approach to the topic. This article clearly met all of the judging criteria, plus offered a very strong audience and reach, with a very impressive 3.5 million circulation.”

The Southam Awards are in its eleventh year and named in honor of John Southam, former publisher of Cruising World and Sailing World magazines, who played a significant role in the growth of Sail America, the U.S. industry trade association. In addition to the $5000 grand prize – the largest single media prize for journalists covering sailing outside the industry – the judges selected four additional $1000 category winners, and established a brand new judging category.

The Newspaper Category has two divisions. Claudia L. Bayliss, features/staff writer of the South Bend Tribune of South Bend, Indiana, took home the $1000 prize in the Newspapers Over 100,000