Nucci Novi Ceppellini Awarded ISAF Beppe Croce Trophy
Nucci, who passed away in February this year, was dedicated to the sport of sailing throughout her life. An active and successful sailor, Nucci cared deeply for the sport she loved, demonstrated through her appointment as a national Race Official together with a far reaching involvement in the sport's management. Today, Nucci's influence can be seen across the sport and she is an outstanding recipient for this award.
ISAF President Göran Petersson said, "I am very proud to honour the contribution Nucci has made to sailing through the awarding of the ISAF Beppe Croce Trophy. Nucci's passion for sailing was infectious, whilst her vitality, expertise and integrity benefited and guided many areas of the sport. Those who knew Nucci were fortunate to have worked with a dynamic, kind and generous individual - Nucci's legacy is immense."
As a Vice-President of the Yacht Club Italiano for many years, Nucci showed a talent for sailing administration through her successful organization of the many national and international events hosted by the club.
It was not until 1986 that Nucci became involved with ISAF as a member of the Women's Sailing Committee. Elected Chairman in 1990, her tenure saw the introduction of new initiatives including the ISAF Women's Match Racing World Championships and Rankings, Women's Sailing Seminars and the increased representation of women across all of the sport's activities.
Nucci was tireless in her encouragement and mentoring of women who came to ISAF and was a driving force in the successful and ongoing campaign to increase the number of women directly involved in the decision making process.
Highly respected across ISAF, Nucci was appointed as the first women's sailing representative in 1997, an appointment that coincided with the creation of a Women's Forum, of which Nucci was Chairman. One year later in 1998, Nucci was elected as the first female Vice-President of the International Sailing Federation.
As an ISAF Vice-President, Nucci's brief included overseeing match racing, team racing, anti-doping, disabled sailing, youth issues and all women's issues. Nucci brought energy, vision and dedication throughout her work with ISAF.
A passionate supporter of disabled sailing, Nucci also sat on the Executive Board of the International Association for Disabled Sailing, working closely with the Italian Federation for Disabled Sport.
Nucci's outstanding achievements and contribution to the sport were recognized by the International Olympic Committee in 2000 when she was awarded the inaugural IOC Women in Sport Trophy for Europe.
The ISAF Beppe Croce Trophy will be presented on Friday 9 May at a dinner hosted by S.Pellegrino at the Shangri-La Hotel in Qingdao, China. The Trophy will be received by a family member.