The Ding Schoonmaker Trophy
Awarded to the top placing U30 skipper at the World Championship
The Ding Schoonmaker Trophy is awarded at the Worlds to the highest scoring skipper in the Under 30 (U30) Class. This trophy was donated to the Class by the Lowell North family, in cooperation with the Ding Schoonmaker family and first awarded at the 2022 Worlds. Ding and his family have been instrumental in their support for U30 Sailing, youth sailing in general, over many years. This trophy honors the lifelong contributions Ding made to the sport, both domestically and world-wide.
Known first for his skills on the racecourse as a Star crew in 1949, he quickly rose through the ranks in Stars, Finn, Flying Dutchman, Soling, as well as other classes and was the 1971 Rolex Yachtsman of the Year. Ding earned his Gold Star at the 1975 Worlds, adding to his 12 Star Continental Championships. Amidst all his success, his contributions beyond the racecourse became his mission in life, much to the benefit of the broader sailing world. As an active member and officer of the International Yacht Racing Union and International Sailing Association Federation (now World Sailing), Ding was instrumental in establishing the US Sailing Center in Miami. The Schoonmaker Center is an authorized US Olympic Training Center, supporting multiple programs for evolving young sailors from countries globally.
For his dedication of spirit, time and money, Ding Schoonmaker received the 1988 Nathanael Herrshoff Award, US Sailing’s highest honor, followed by World Sailing’s Beppe Croce Award in 2011, and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Sailing Hall of Fame in 2018. Just two years before his passing in 2021, Ding was awarded the 2019 Distinguished Service Award from the National Maritime Historical Society. Today his family foundation continues this work to benefit young Star sailors, the Star class, and youth sailors worldwide.
| YEAR |
BOAT |
SKIPPER |
CREW |
FLEET |
ENTRIES |
LOCATION |
RESULTS |
Star Class Honoring the Past, Leading the Future
