User:Robertowilkes/sandbox

Helen Mary Wilkes

Helen Mary Wilkes is an administrator in the sport of sailing, best known for her promotion of the Optimist dinghy.

She has been awarded the Gold Medal and President’s Development Award]] of World Sailing and is the President of Honour of the 120 nation International Optimist dinghy.Association. She is also a member of the Irish Sailing Association Hall of Fame, an honorary member of Howth Yacht Club, and recipient of the Laura Rolandi Award of the Cofradía Europea de Vela.

As president of the Optimist Class 1989-1998 she instigated the one-design "IOD95" project which, unusually in sailing, ensured that multiple manufacturers worldwide produce boats of identical speed. This led to lower costs and contributed to record participation in international championships with, by 2000, 745 sailors from 75 countries using boats from 15 different builders.

She was also active in World Sailing for over thirty five years, among her activities being the first president of the Women's International Match Racing Association and vice-chair of the International Classes Committee.