[January 05, 2015]

International Hydrofoil Society's 2015 Mandles Prize for Hydrofoil Excellence

To be clear, hydrofoils are "wings under water" that can substantially increase the speed, maneuverability and stability of suitable boats, ships and other watercraft by lifting them above the surface and waves of water through which they might otherwise experience significant resistance, delay and discomfort.

Founded in England in 1970 and based in the United States since 1980, the International Hydrofoil Society (IHS (News - Alert)) remains an all-volunteer, not-for-profit professional society for everyone, everywhere who is involved with or fascinated by commercial, military or recreational hydrofoils of many sizes and types, including, but not limited to, passenger ferries, search and rescue boats, patrol craft, cabin cruisers, race boats, speedboats, jet skis, water skis, sailboats, and human-powered water bikes.

Again in 2015, the IHS will award its annual Mandles Prize for ydrofoil Excellence in recognition of hydrofoil engineering, design or construction achievement by college and university students. The $2,500 prize and up to two $1,000 honorable mentions are based on submissions from individual students or groups of up to six students with the signature of a faculty advisor endorsing each submission. Rules and other details are accessible at the home page of the Web site of the Society, www.foils.org, under "Mandles Prize." Questions and submissions should be addressed to [email protected].

The namesake and benefactors of these awards are Connie and Martinn Mandles of Los Angeles, CA (News - Alert). In the early 1960s, Martinn was the first co-pilot of Boeing's only jet-powered hydrofoil research hydroplane, and then of the Navy's unique Boeing-built and operated high-speed research hydrofoil, FRESH-1. After completing his engineering degree at Stanford University, receiving his commission as a military officer and serving in Vietnam, he became the first captain of the Navy's prototype hydrofoil gunboat, the Boeing (News - Alert)-built USS Tucumcari, in 1968.

In his four-decade civilian career that followed, Martinn advanced to Chairman of the Board of a prominent company listed on the New York Stock Exchange. He now serves as an independent executor and trustee of several large estates.

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