Eight Bells ... Hans La Cour Andersen

by Martin Tasker and Paul Todd on 31 Oct 2009 Passionate sailor, cameraman, editor, technician, producer, director, author, linguist, musician, loving husband and father…Hans La Cour has finally lost his long and typically courageous battle with cancer.

The 54 year old Danish Kiwi was known to top racing sailors around the world, the world being his 'patch.' He covered virtually every major international regatta - from the America’s Cup and the Volvo Ocean Race to the Fastnet and MedCup – and to many he was the ultimate renaissance man.

He was completely fluent in English, Spanish, German, Danish, Swedish and French and could get by in Italian, Portuguese and Maori…the latter learned from a former Television New Zealand colleague with whom Hans shared an apartment in Valencia during the America’s Cup.

Hans and his family lived in New Zealand from the early 1990s until 2005 when he based himself back in Denmark from where he covered the America’s Cup and key regattas in Europe. Hans had arrived in New Zealand by sea while filming a ship-based television series and went on to work for an astonishing variety of programmes outside sport from 'Dancing with the Stars' to 'The Amazing Race'.

Further removed from yachting and sport, Hans was always a forceful advocate for the environment, the underdog and justice, working with the United Nations and various government organisations.

Before he became ill he was working on a documentary addressing all three of those vital issues. His was a remarkable and far too short life.

Sincere condolences to Leila and their twins, Nils and Nadine.

Top international photographer, Paul Todd (NZL) writes sharing his memories of Hans:

Richard, I am sad to hear that Hans passed away. He was such a nice guy and so loved what he did for his job.

I produced a coffee table book with him on the Swedish team at the Americas Cup in 2003 and he wrote the whole thing in a few weeks.

At an Americas cup event or sailing event in the world, he was always a friendly face with a smile.
Hans was always up for having a laugh and I will miss him a lot.

Regards, Paul.