The ‘Fang’ is gone

by courtesy of Bob Fisher & Scuttlebutt on 22 Nov 2003 ‘Fang’, as he was universally known was an extraordinary navigator with an enviable record in maxi-boat racing; an International Judge whose
deliberations were universally acceptable; and an International Umpire who sought to improve the sport by communicating with the competitors. Fang was both loved and respected, often by the same group.

An Australian from Sydney, ‘Fang’ was one of those who travelled the world in pursuit of the best offshore racing, and that, in the Seventies, was among the maxis. ‘Fang’ joined the crew of Kialoa and as navigator was contributory to the successes of the most famous of this class. He
navigated other maxis including later Kialoas, Il Moro di Venezia, and Longobarda.

His shipmates knew that he was a man they could trust and those who were are to be envied. ‘Fang’ had a fund of stories, many of which were told at
meetings of Auscrew and at Quiet Little Drinks in Hobart and other places in the world.

Often they were told on the weather rail to raise morale, but everyone who knew David Kilponen would know that they were subject to the
‘Fang Factor’; he did have a way of embellishing his tales.

There will be a gathering of ‘Fang's’ friends at Chuck's in Fort Lauderdale from 1800 on Friday and a Celebration of his life at 2000 that same day at Lauderdale Yacht Club.

Those of us who knew ‘The Fang’ will miss his ebullience and his warmth, and above all we will miss him for his erudite knowledge of our sport with his sympathetic approach to the Racing Rules of Sailing.

More than that, we will miss his enduring friendship. '