Page 33 - ECA Yearbook 2023

2010 Hall of Fame Inductees
Charlie Shoemaker
Charlie has an outstanding record of participation and performance in Ensign Nationals.
Since 1972, he has raced in 33 Nationals in 16 locations, and has won the regatta three
times, placed 2nd five times, 3rd four times, 4th once and 5th three times. He still races in
his home fleet in Newport, Rhode Island and has participated very successfully in many
Region II Regattas. He has been Treasurer and Commodore of the ECA, has attended
many Annual Meetings, and was on the committee that developed the upper shroud above
the spreader to deal with the "noodle mast" problem. Although both Dean Snider (24
Nationals), and Charlie Sligh III (26 Nationals) are almost in Charlie's class, they are both
already in the HOF.

Elizabeth Brincklow
Elizabeth Brincklow is the first woman Commodore of the Ensign Class Association and is
the first second-half of a couple to achieve the office of Commodore. She served as
Commodore in 2005-2006, and also served as Secretary and Vice Commodore of Regional
Affairs. Elizabeth proposed and implemented the ECA Youth Sponsorship Program,
strengthening the 501-(C)(3) status of the Class, and oversaw the implementation of
minimum boat weights and the inclusion of the roller-furling sail. Since joining the ECA in
1983, she has attended numerous annual meetings, and has raced foredeck with husband
Zeke Durica in a plethora of ECA regional and national events, crewing on the winning boat
in the 2010 Nationals. Elizabeth races in her home fleet in Dunedin, Fl, where she annually
assists in the Midwinter Regatta organization. She was the muse for beginning Ensign
Spars, Inc.

2011 Hall of Fame Inductees

Benz Faget - Most Nationals won either Crewed or Skippered.
Benz has crewed on the winning boat or skippered the winning boat twelve times. He has
sailed Ensigns all his life after he was taught how to sail on the family Ensign #308
Warlock. Benz has been associated with many tales and stories revolving around the
Ensign through the years.

Bill O’Hara - Father of the Sustained Giving Program for “Ensigns Forever”
Bill began the program for annual donations through the Class tax-free status as a 501-
(C)(3) organization. His goal was that the funds from this program be used to promote the
class and provide assistance to the building of new Ensigns. He worked with Zeke Durica,
Jim Kelly, and Dick Torpey to bring about the building of new Ensigns by Ensign Spars, Inc.
He served as Commodore in 1999-2000, and Vice Commodore of Publicity, prior to that.
His mandate was that all class officers consider their office as a “working position” rather
than just an “honorary” one. With this in mind, he worked with many others to revitalize
national membership, and as a member of Fleet 23, achieved the largest National
Championship Regatta in Class history.

Money Penny #2007
The first Ensign Classic to win Nationals.

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