Richard Estaugh passes away
by Gael Pawson 14 Apr 2009 16:26 BST
11 April 2009
We are sad to report the untimely loss of British sailing legend Richard Estaugh, who passed away on Saturday April 11, 2009.
One of the best known and most successful dinghy sailors the country has seen, Richard had an impressive record in dinghy racing with over 10 world championship titles and 15 national championship titles to his name, not forgetting two victories in the dinghy champion of champions event, the Endeavour Trophy (in 1981 and 1998).
In 2007 Richard won both the Fireball world title and the GP14 national title, a class in which he repeatedly took the world title after his first win in 1979. He had a clutch of championship wins in the Merlin Rocket and the Enterprise - a class in which he won the world title a total of five times, most recently in 2006.
Aside from his considerable reputation on the water, Richard owned and managed his highly successful company, Speed Sails, for over 25 years, supplying many dinghy sailors up and down the country with sails, covers, dinghies and chandlery. It’s understood that his son, Ben, will continue with the business.
Speed Sails has issued a statement that can only be echoed by everyone at Y&Y: “We have all lost a great friend and our thoughts are especially with his family at this time.” Out of respect for Richard’s wishes his family have requested that people don’t send flowers but hope they will consider making a donation to sail4cancer or the RNLI instead.
For anyone wishing to attend his funeral, details will be posted as soon as they are available.
A thread has been started on our forum for those who would like to express their thoughts and sympathies.
For anyone wishing to attend his funeral, details are as follows:
The service will be held at All Saints Parish Church in Four Oaks on Tuesday 21st April at 13:45.
The Wake will begin after the service at Chase Sailing Club, Walsall.
All Saints Parish
Belwell Lane,
Four Oaks,
Sutton Coldfield,
B74 4TR
www.allsaintsfouroaks.co.uk
The Chase Sailing Club
Pool Road,
Chasetown,
Walsall,
WS7 3QW
www.chasesc.org.uk