Two of Australia’s best known sailors drowned in the 2009 Sydney to Flinders Islet race on Saturday morning.
Ocean racing veteran Andrew Short owned and skippered the 80 foot (24.5) metre yacht, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, the former ShockWave 5, which ran aground on outlying rocks off Flinders Islet off Port Kembla just before 3:00am on Saturday.
Sally Gordon, was one of the most experienced women ocean racers on the Australian scene having sailed in 15 Sydney to Hobart races. She was the CYCA Ocean Racing Crew person of the year back in 2000.
Along with 16 other crew, the two sailors were taking part in an overnight race between Sydney and Flinders Islet. (Sail-World)
Many past and current J24 sailors have known both Andrew and Sally, sailing with and against them. Andrew won the 85 and 86 J24 Nationals and would have been a keen competitior in the Legends Regatta planned to be held in Sydney next year.
Terry Wise, our NSW President, has known both very well for many years and says, “Sally and Andrew are a part of our CYCA sailing family, both regular, very experienced happy faces, will be sadly missed.”
I am sure you all join me in offering our personal and J24 class condolences to their families in this tragic loss.
Simon Grain
J24 National President