Raise a Glass and Cast Your Vote

US Sailing has teamed up with Old Pulteney Single Malt Scotch Whisky to offer a newly conceived Maritime Heroes Award, aimed at recognizing "men and women who are making significant contributions to educate, volunteer, advocate or simply encourage participation in sailing within their community or beyond." We’re proud to report that longtime Latitude 38 staffer John Arndt is among the six finalists.

In addition to his dual roles as the magazine’s chief ad salesman and associate publisher, in 2001 John conceived and implemented the annual celebration of sailing called Summer Sailstice, which now has a worldwide following. He was also instrumental in starting the SailSFBay organization, which is dedicated to growing participation in sailing at all levels here in Northern California.

You can view John’s bio here, but in short, we can tell you he is a tireless advocate for sailing, and his influence has been felt far beyond the Northern California sailing scene. Thus, we’d encourage you to cast a vote in his favor here, before December 22. If he wins the $5,000 prize, he will donate it to SailSFBay to further that organization’s outreach efforts. So, "Cheers, John. Here’s to you!"

(John’s efforts to promote our sport won him the 2015 Distinguished Service Award at October’s Annapolis Boat Show.)