The trophy, symbolic of thermal soaring flight, is a bronze casting mounted on a mahogany base and is 24 ¼ inches high overall. It was presented to SSA in 1947 by Mrs. Allaire du Pont in memory of her husband, Richard C. du Pont U.S. National Soaring Champion in 1934, 1935 and l937 who died in the crash of an experimental military glider September 12, 1943.
The trophy is perpetual and is passed from champion to champion. The winner's names with dates are engraved on metal plates attached to the pedestal. In addition, each winner receives a bronze medallion bearing a bas-relief representation of the trophy for his permanent possession. With the trophy, Mrs. du Pont gave the Soaring Society 20 medallions. This trophy succeeded the Edward S. Evans Trophy, the original national championship trophy.
U.S. National Soaring Champions who have held the Richard C. du Pont Memorial Trophy are as follows:
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2024 - Keith Essex: Minden, NV 2023 - Dick Butler: Cordele, GA 2022 - Dick Butler: Hobbs, NM 2021 - Dan Mockler: Minden, NV 2020 - No Contest: Minden, NV 2019 - Jim Lee: Hobbs, NM 2018 - Dick Butler: Uvalde, TX 2017 - Doug Jacobs: Cordele, GA 2016 - Keith Essex: Nephi, UT 2015 - Dick Butler: Hobbs, NM 2014 - Bill Gawthrop: Montague, CA 2013 - Ronald S. Tabery: Hobbs, NM 2012 - Rick Indrebo: Minden, NV 2011 - Ronald S. Tabery: Uvalde, TX 2010 - Ronald S. Tabery: Hobbs, NM 2009 - Garret Willat: Montague, CA 2008 - Richard Butler: Uvalde, TX 2007 - No contest 2006 - Elizabeth Schwenkler: Hobbs, NM 2005 - Nelson Funston: Ephrata, WA 2004 - Richard Butler: Uvalde, TX 2003 - Richard Butler: Cordele, GA 2002 - Ronald S. Tabery: Uvalde, TX 2001 - Brett R. (Rex) Mayes & James K. (Chip) Garner: Montague, CA 2000 - Sherman Griffith: Uvalde, TX 1999 - Tom & James Payne: Reedsville, PA 1998 - Sherman Griffith: Uvalde, TX 1997 - H. Ray Gimmey: Minden, NV 1996 - Ronald S. Tabery: Hobbs, NM 1995 - H. Ray Gimmey: Minden, NV 1994 - Ronald S. Tabery 1993 - Ronald S. Tabery: Littlefield, TX 1992 - Dale Bush: Hobbs 1991 - H. Ray Gimmey 1990 - Karl Striedieck 1989 - Tom Knauff 1988 - Kenneth Sorenson 1987 - Ronald S. Tabery 1986 - H. Ray Gimmey |
1985 - Richard H. Johnson 1984 - H. Ray Gimmey 1983 - Allen L. Leffler 1982 - George Moffat, Jr. 1981 - Richard H. Johnson 1980 - Richard Butler 1979 - Richard Butler 1978 - Andrew J. Smith 1977 - Richard Butler 1976 - Al Leffler 1975 - Richard H. Johnson 1974 - Ben Greene 1973 - George B. Moffat, Jr. 1972 - H. Ray Gimmey 1971 - Andrew J. Smith 1970 - Ross Briegleb 1969 - George B. Moffat, Jr. 1968 - Ben Greene 1967 - Andrew J. Smith 1966 - Richard E. Schreder 1965 - Dean Svec 1964 - Richard H. Johnson 1963 - Richard H. Johnson 1962 - John D. Ryan 1961 - Andrew J. Smith 1960 - Richard E. Schreder 1959 - Richard H. Johnson 1958 - Richard E. Schreder 1957 - Stanley W. Smith 1956 - Lyle A. Maxey 1955 - Kempes Trager 1954 - Richard H. Johnson 1953 - Paul B. MacCready, Jr. 1952 - Richard H. Johnson 1951 - Richard H. Johnson 1950 - Richard H. Johnson 1949 - Paul B. MacCready, Jr. 1948 - Paul B. MacCready, Jr. 1947 - Richard J. Caney |
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