International Hydrofoil Society’s 2016 Mandles Prize for Hydrofoil Excellence

LOS ANGELES–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Hydrofoils are “wings under water” that substantially increase the
speed, maneuverability and stability of many 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) remains an all-volunteer,
not-for-profit society for hydrofoil enthusiasts worldwide who are
involved with or fascinated by commercial, recreational or military
hydrofoils of many sizes and types including, but not limited to, search
and rescue boats, patrol craft, passenger ferries, cabin cruisers, race
boats, speedboats, jet skis, water skis, sailboats and human-powered
water bikes.

Again in 2016, the IHS will award its annual Mandles Prize for Hydrofoil
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.” Time is of the essence, so questions and
submissions should be addressed to prizechair@foils.org.

The namesake and benefactors of these awards are Connie and Martinn
Mandles of Los Angeles, CA. 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, Martinn became the first captain of the Navy’s prototype
hydrofoil gunboat, the Boeing-built USS Tucumcari, in 1968.

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

Contacts

International Hydrofoil Society
Ray Vellinga, 858-450-1923
prizechair@foils.org