Since 1989 it is a tradition of our Class to award the Harry Nye Trophy to individuals who provide exceptional service to the Star Class over an extended period of time.
I have the great honor to award this trophy this year to our friend Alexander Hagen.
In 1989 the first recipient was Walter von Hutschler. If you study the list of recipients you will find Star Class members with very different backgrounds. But all of them demonstrated that they follow one goal: the welfare of the Star Class.
 |
| Commodore Dierk Thomsen and Alex Hagen |
Alex, I am someone who knows your way of life since we met for the first time at the end of the 60’s at the OK Dinghy Worlds in Kiel. You were a member of a troupe of 6-8 youngsters which engaged the jury in a funny way. Later you became more serious and finally you ended up in 1978 becoming a member of the International Star Class. It was not a try for you, no — you started through by winning regattas from the first start on.
You won Blue Stars, 7 time Silver Stars and two times Gold Star by winning in 1981 the Worlds and 16 years later your second Worlds, both in Marblehead. Your win of the German Championship last year shows us that you can be successful also at an age of 59 years. This is the one side of the medal.
The other side is your engagement on different areas in our Class. With your company Star Rigg Service you did not earn money, you provided a service for sailors which often need assistance in technically critical situations.
On top of that you offered your time and knowledge by serving many years as First Continental Vice President.
A very special mentality is your understanding of our heads today: the environmental protection in general. We remember your power by reducing the fleets of coach boats at regattas. Finally your idea ended up in a Class Rule.
But the cream on top of our daily life was your fight for many years to stop the trend to increase the body weight as a tool to sail successfully. Since that time we operate with a special rule to limit the body weight in an acceptable way.
Thank you Alex. You are a great sportsman.
