Vale Mike Fletcher AM – 9.10.33 – 30.1.26
by Di Pearson 31 Jan 03:03 GMT
Mike Fletcher with Darren Bundock (left) and Glenn Ashby © Amanda Lulham
Michael Francis Fletcher, known to us all simply as Fletch, Coach or Mike, quietly passed away last evening aged 92, following a bout with illness.
Engineer, a sailmaker who in the past ran the Elvstrom loft in Sydney. Add to that author, lecturer, race director and sailor with over 20,000 ocean miles logged. Most, though, will remember Fletch as a professional coach, one of life's genuinely nice guys, a sociable, peace loving and inspiring man.
He loved catching up with friends, among them the many he coached and countless others who crossed his path during a long, happy and fulfilled life. The love was returned, evidenced during his recent health battles when his Olympians, sailing mates, old mates and newer friends alike came to visit. Fletch knew, and was known by so many people, he couldn't keep up with the names!
Legendary, wise, the best coach, charismatic, inspirational, untouchable, a great mate, are some of the words used in the accolades from far and wide today.
This from Olympian Nocka Nossiter, who was coached for many years by Fletch: "Well played Fletch, what an innings. One of the finest hit-outs in the world of yachting one can have. Thank you for all the years of sharing sailing smarts, & life wisdom. Your education certainly lives on in others & I."
In a career spanning over 70 years, Fletch was a successful Australian sailing coach at nine Olympic Games across multiple disciplines.
A reserve sailor at the 1972 Kiel Olympics, Fletch was Australia's first Olympic sailing coach, helping John Cuneo to a Gold medal in the Dragon Class at those Olympics.
His Olympic beneficiaries were many: 1976 Ian Brown/Ian Ruff, 470 bronze; 1984 Chris Cairns/Scott Anderson, Tornado bronze (Fletch was head coach at that time and remained so until the end of the 1996 Games); 1992 Mitch Booth/John Forbes, Tornado bronze; 1996 Colin Beashel/David Giles, Star bronze; 1996 Mitch Booth/Andrew Landenberger, Tornado silver; 2000 Darren Bundock/John Forbes Tornado silver; 2008 Darren Bundock/Glenn Ashby, Tornado silver.
These names also collected world, Australian and state titles and went on to excel in other disciplines of the sport, notably Beashel (1983) and Ashby (multiple), who independently won the America's Cup. Australia II's crew was another beneficiary of Fletch's coaching and made history by winning the 1983 Cup.
Throughout the '70s, '80s and '90s, Fletch coached (with wins) Southern Cross Cup teams, multiple Sydney Hobart divisional winners and coached the Australian team to third at the 1987 Admiral's Cup. In the early '90s he was race director of the Sydney Hobart for the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, the club he joined in 1970.
Fletch also coached the NSW 29er Youth Squad (sailors winning every Australian title and selection for the Youth Worlds since he took on the role) and coached Laser Radial, Europe, Finn, Soling Etchells, Dragon, Tasar and multihull sailors to world, Australian and state titles.
Fletch conducted multiple women's coaching courses for female sailors of all levels at the CYCA, and in the 80s,nd coached an all-female crew on Rod Muir's maxi, Windward Passage.
During a distinguished career, many awards came Fletch's way. The highlights were:
Order of Australia - an inaugural inductee into the Australian Sailing Hall of Fame - Australian Yachtsman of the Year - Australian Sports Coach of the Year - Australian Sailing President's Award.
Not limited to coaching, Fletch was a talented sailor, winning the 1970 Thunderbird Worlds with Tony Parkes, three each of Australian Moth and Gwen 12 Australian titles, a Heron Australian title with a then six-year-old Colin Beashel and a Tasar Word Masters silver.
With a lifelong insatiable thirst for sailing, Fletch somehow found time to race in five Sydney Hobarts and represented Australia at the 1975 Admiral's Cup.
Interested in keeping abreast of technology and the latest in sailing, Fletch tried out the new 'foiling' Moth at Black Rock Yacht Club following the 2005 Sail Melbourne Moth Worlds. And while a group of conventional Moth sailors struggled to come to grips with the new foiling Moth, Fletch, aged 70, had it up and planing after a few false starts - a big smile on his face and to cheers from land.
Fletch had a long, fit, healthy and happy life, the last 33 years with his partner of 33 years, Amanda the pair travelling Europe annually after he wound down his commitments to enjoy life.
Fletch, may the sun shine warmly on your race, the wind always fill your sails and may the sea cradle you gently on your journey home.
Mike leaves behind his beloved partner of 33 years, Amanda Lulham, and his three loved children with Di - Nikki, Ross and Andrew. Our condolences to all.
There will be a Celebration of Life for Mike Fletcher and details will be announced in due course.