Page 30 - ECA Yearbook 2023

submitted candidate. The Selection Committee will review and submit their
recommendations to the ECA Governing Board for approval. Up to 5 inductees can be
inducted annually.
2008 Hall of Fame Inductees
Carl Alberg
The Swedish-born naval architect who designed the Ensign for Pearson Yachts in the early
1960ʼs. He sought to modify his earlier Pearson Electra cruiser to make it a daysailer. “We
determined that a large cockpit would be essential for both racing and daysailing,” he
wrote, “as would a small cuddy for locking up sails and gear.” Some 10,000 boats have
been built to the 56 designs credited to Alberg.

Everett Pearson
In the early 1960ʼs, he sponsored the design of the Ensign, originally calling it the Electra
Day Sailer. His Rhode Island based firm, Pearson Yachts, was the only builder of the boat
from 1962 through 1983, constructing 1,775 ensigns before ceasing production and making
it the largest class, by far, of full-keeled, one-design sailboats in the United States.
(Production was resumed in 2001 by Ensign Spars Inc. of Dunedin, Florida.)

John M. O’Connell
He was one of the half dozen people who, in 1962 at Rye, New York, chose the name
“Ensign”, founded the Ensign Class Association, drafted class rules and established Fleet 1
in nearby Larchmont. He became that year the first Ensign National Champion. In 1973, he
founded Ensign Fleet 64 in on Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire, and in 1990 he was
the prime mover and leader in that fleetʼs hosting of the 29th annual Ensign National
Championship Regatta.

Dean Snider
Dean has been Class Commodore, National Champion a record four times, and has been
active in class affairs for the better part of four decades. He has served as Committee
Chairman and has been involved in all major changes in class sails designs, standards,
and rules. Dean was active in the work to begin construction of new Ensigns.

Charlie Sligh
“Mr. Ensign” himself, Charlie has been Class Commodore, has skippered SEA III for more
than 40 years, and has sailed in over 30 National championships. Charlie has been the
winner of numerous Regional Championships, placed third in a National Championship,
and was the first recipient of the Sea III Trophy – named in his honor, and awarded for
outstanding service to the Ensign Class. He was very active in Class leadership,
participated in all major decisions and changes in class rules and has served on the
committee for the building of new Ensigns. At age 80, Charlie raced in a Regional
Championship Regatta with four generations of Slighs on SEA III.

Nina Yuyosovich
In 1966, she was the first woman to skipper in an Ensign Nationals.

Jim Kelly
Jim led the fight with the Internal Revenue Service to obtain our 501-(C)(3) status, which
allows donations to the class on a tax-free basis. He and Dick Torpey carried the load for
the project, which gave the Class the money to move and repair the Ensign molds and
begin building new boats. Jim was one of the leaders of the new boat project, and also

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