Ted Turner awarded NYYC Medal at the W. 44th St. Clubhouse

[Capt. Crunch is our latest contributor to SAILING ILLUSTRATED. He is a longtime friend who has had an extensive and successful racing career. Further to our popular story here on SI a couple days ago on Mr Turner's award by NYYC, the good Capt. provided this first-hand account and some more background, which I thought our Dear Readers would appreciate. –TFE]

On Tuesday, roughly 300 New York Yacht Club members and guests gathered at the Club for an evening honoring Ted Turner, at which he was awarded the NYYC Medal. This honor, which has been sparingly conferred, was presented by Commodore Phil Lotz, who cited Turner's many contributions and accomplishments in the sport of yacht racing.

Included among the guests were executives and creative types from NBC Sports, who used the event to preview their 47-minute tribute to Mr Turner, entitled "COURAGEOUS." The documentary is centered around Ted's successful defense of the America's Cup in 1977, and utilizes a number of archival sources including Dick Enersen's classic AC movie "The Best Defense," and contemporary interviews.

Among the interviews are those of Ted himself, many of his crew, and various people who chronicled the summer.

The NBC Sports documentary will be aired on NBC on June 17th after the first race of the America's Cup, or maybe instead of it if the Bermudian wind fails to perform appropriately.

NYYC Commodore Phil Lotz with Ted Turner at NYYC's W. 44th St clubhouse Tuesday evening. Photo: Dan Nerney / NYYC