Don Finkle wins the LYRA Blake Van Winkle Trophy
Dec 6, 2018
One of Lake Ontario’s most enthusiastic sailors and founder of the legendary Youngstown Level Regatta, a staple of racing on both sides of the Canada-US border for years, Don Finkle was recently honoured in Oakville, ON.
“Big new below about Don Finkle (my Dad) and an award he received last weekend. He was returning from a trip of nine days away, flights canceled, got home at 1am etc. He was exhausted and could have easily blown off the LYRA meeting. But true to form, he got in car the next morning and drove to Oakville to attend the meeting. He did not know he was getting an award, just went to support the organization like always. He was of course delighted when he received the special award from his friends at LYRA. Dad has so much respect for the previous winners and the history of LYRA and sailing around here in general, that he was very honored to receive this award. It is currently sitting on his kitchen counter (which Mom loves). Well done Dad!”
– Tim Finkle, Youngstown, NY
Award in Oakville
At the 2018 LYRA Annual General Meeting, held November 17 at Oakville Yacht Squadron, Don Finkle of RCR Yachts was awarded the Blake Van Winkle Trophy, a special award – with a rich history – for exceptional service to LYRA. A well deserved honour (or honor) for decades supporting the Lake Ontario sailing community and LYRA in particular.
Don was presented the award by past Van Winkle Trophy recipients (L to R) Edward St. George, Michael Foley and John Weakley.”
The Blake Van Winkle Trophy has 17 medallions encapsulated in cast acrylic. The medallions all date circa 1927 – 1937 and are engraved on the reverse. Quite small, about the size of a silver dollar or smaller, in various shapes, all relating to LYRA or Y.R.U. (Yacht Racing union) events. Look for more info on these little jewels on the LYRA website.
