De Forest 'Shorty' Trimingham

Achievements:

• Prince of Wales Cup: First non-Englishman to win (1954)

• Flying Dutchman Class: Competitor and top helmsman

• Olympian: Represented Bermuda in the 1960 Rome Olympics, finishing as high as 4th in one race

Biography:

De Forest 'Shorty' Trimingham will forever be remembered as the first non-Englishman to win the prestigious Prince of Wales Cup, but his legacy extends far beyond this remarkable achievement. He is celebrated not only for his sailing prowess but also for the deep friendships he forged through the sport.

Trimingham was born into a family of sailors and was introduced to the sport at a very tender age by his father, Kenneth. His wife Dot recalls that as a young lad, Trimingham had a little rowing dinghy with a mast installed, which he would sail from Pitt's Bay to Two Rock. These early experiences honed his skills and competitive edge as he grew up, but for Trimingham, sailing was about more than just winning.

By 1951, Trimingham had already established a reputation as a top-class helmsman. He was one of 30 skippers consulted by Conrad Gulcher and Uus Van Essen after they designed the 'Flying Dutchman,' seeking his input on how to improve the boat. However, it was in 1954 that the diminutive Bermudian shocked the English sailing world.

Sailing with his cousin, Sir Eldon Trimingham, as crew on 'Barilea,' Trimingham pulled off the unthinkable by winning the Prince of Wales Cup, then the top prize of the world's leading dinghy class. Competing in 25 to 30 knot winds over a three-mile triangular course, Trimingham used a flat mainsail to secure victory, despite giving away nearly 60 pounds in the rough conditions. Out of 43 boats that started the race, only 22 managed to finish due to the brutal conditions.

During the first two laps, Trimingham engaged in a tight battle with Brian Roswell of England, with both skippers swapping first and second places several times. As Roswell fell off the pace, Sam Waters and seven-time Prince of Wales Cup winner Stewart Morris emerged as threats. On the last lap, with the wind dying down and the fleet closing in, Trimingham made a quick decision that secured their victory by 45 seconds – nearly a quarter-mile in those conditions. Although he never lifted the Cup again, Trimingham continued to achieve several top finishes after his historic triumph.

Trimingham also represented Bermuda in the 1960 Rome Olympics in the Flying Dutchman class. While the overall results were not in his favor, he did achieve a commendable fourth-place finish in one race.

Legacy:

De Forest 'Shorty' Trimingham's legacy in sailing is marked by his historic victory in the Prince of Wales Cup and his representation of Bermuda in the Olympics. His contributions to the sport, both as a competitor and as an advisor on boat design, have left an indelible mark on the sailing community. Trimingham's story is one of skill, perseverance, and camaraderie, embodying the spirit of a true sportsman and inspiring future generations of sailors.