Please select your home edition
Edition
A+T Instruments 2024 Leaderboard

Jordy Walker Match Race legend passes in Bermuda

by Brian Billings on 14 Dec 2010
Jordy Walker honored with the 2008 Llew Gibbons Trophy for his outstanding effort and service to the sport of sailing in Bermuda. Presented by 2008 Commodore Ralph Richardson. RBYC Photo - Jordy Walker Talbot Wilson

It is with deep sadness that the Match Racing Association have been informed of the passing of B. W. 'Jordy' Walker of Bermuda. Three of his Match Racing disciples (Ted Weisberg of NY, Scott MacLeod of London and Brian W. Billings of Bermuda) were at his bedside shortly before his passing and we were able to see his sparkling blues eyes and smile as we told match racing stories that we shared over 25 years of involvement of the sport that Jordy loved.

Jordy was one of the founding fathers of the World match Racing Association now know as the Match Racing Association (MRA), founded in 1985 as a California company. He was the force behind having the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club (RBYC) reorganize the Gold Cup from an amateur invitational event to a world class professional skipper event with prize money. Jordy not only ensured the boats for the event (IOD's, mainly his) but also put up the seed money to make the initial event take place.

The RBYC then became one of the founding members of the MRA as a result of Jordy's push. Jordy brought the first professional team (Scott MacLeod) to organize a match racing event in Bermuda, with sponsors, which pointed the way for other events to follow. Under Jordy and Scott's direction they brought the MRA championship to Bermuda in 1991 and also under their direction numerous innovative events took place, like starboard mark roundings, on water umpires, on shore viewing etc., all of which were not only picked up by other events but also incorporated by the America's Cup. Jordy was one of the original Directors of the MRA and became president (twice) and until his untimely death, Secretary. Jordy was also instrumental in ensuring that the MRA be incorporated in Bermuda, which it still is.

In summary, I think Ted Weisberg said it all by stating ' Jordy had an unwavering vision for the MRA and its mission. So much of what Match Racing is today is a byproduct of his vision. He was such a big part of the program from the very beginning. He was always there for the sport and the MRA and its member events through thick and thin.

He was the compass of the MRA and most importantly the most wonderful person and we all feel that it was truly a privilege to be his friend.'The Match Racing Association sends its sincere condolences to Mary, his loving wife, son Blythe, daughters Samantha and Elizabeth and their respective spouses and his grandchildren.

Brian Billings on behalf of the executive of the MRA
V-DRY-XRooster 2025X-Yachts X4.0

Related Articles

WASZP Games 2025 Day 4
The Weymouth weather continued to keep the fleet guessing The Weymouth weather continued to keep the fleet guessing, with the northerly breeze hanging in the early forecast before giving way to a westerly build.
Posted today at 4:38 am
Admiral's Cup Paul Wyeth Thursday Photo Gallery
The battle points ahead of the Fastnet race intense The six-race inshore series has now been completed with an unstable northerly, swinging to the west later. The starts were particularly intense as the teams battled for points ahead of the Fastnet, and Paul Wyeth was on hand to capture the action.
Posted today at 4:18 am
Admiral's Cup 2025 | D3 Inshore Racing Videos
More light and tricky conditions on the Solent. Three races? More light and tricky conditions on the Solent. Three races?
Posted today at 1:55 am
O'pen Skiff World Championship in Japan
Team USA delivers a solid performance Five US sailors traveled to Nishinomiya, Japan for six days of challenging conditions, hot temperatures, and world class sailing. USA sailor Lucas Doran was in third place in the U17 fleet before the final day of racing.
Posted on 24 Jul
Admirals Cup: Day 4 - All hanging on the Fastnet.
The end of the beginning of the 2025 Admirals' Cup. Rán runs aground - claims redress. Today marked the End of the Beginning of the 2025 Admirals' Cup with the conclusion of Inshore racing on what is known as the "Central Solent". The Baltic teams' TP52 Rán hit a sandbank and has claimed redress.
Posted on 24 Jul
Palm Beach Motor Yachts Trans-Tasman 49ers Series
Happening for the first time at Hamilton Island Race Week Palm Beach Motor Yachts is proud to be the naming rights sponsor of the Palm Beach Motor Yachts Trans-Tasman 49er Series, which will debut at the 2025 Hamilton Island Race Week, celebrating its 40th edition in August.
Posted on 24 Jul
Less than 48 hours to Rolex Fastnet Race
Battle lines are being drawn up Battle lines are being drawn up for the RORC's centenary Rolex Fastnet Race. As the final day of Admiral's Cup inshore racing took place in the Solent, so several yachts due to take part in Saturday's main event were out training.
Posted on 24 Jul
A Day at the WASZP Games
Video interviews with some of the sailors and supporters of the class The WASZP Games 2025, being held at the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy in the UK, has attracted 248 of the foiling dinghies to take part in a week of varied and high intensity racing.
Posted on 24 Jul
Admiral's Cup David Maynard Thursday Gallery
First race of the day, captured for our viewing pleasure David Maynard was out on the water to catch the action from the first on Thursday of the Admiral's Cup Inshore Racing.
Posted on 24 Jul
World Sailing's inaugural Impact Report
Charting a new course for a sustainable future in sport World Sailing, the global governing body for the sport of sailing, today released its first Impact Report, a comprehensive overview of the federation's significant progress in environmental sustainability and social contribution.
Posted on 24 Jul