Please select your home edition
Edition
Vaikobi 2023 Gloves - LEADERBOARD

18ft Skiffs: Jamie Mears, 18 footers lose a champion

by Frank Quealey 5 Jun 2022 00:28 PDT

The 18 footers class lost one of its champion sailors last month when UK and European champion Jamie Mears lost his life following a tragic mountain bike accident in Italy.

Jamie (1976-2022) leaves behind his wife Gemma and his three sons Tommy, Ollie and Will.

After a successful period in the B14s during the early 2000s, Jamie, together with his brother Stewart, joined the 18 footer ranks in 2008 when he campaigned his PICA skiff throughout the UK and Europe.

His team won the UK Overall Grand Prix four times, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012, as well as several European circuit victories, but his best result was in 2011 at the Mark Foy Trophy regatta.

Jamie, along with his brother Stewart (bow) and Tristan Hull (sheet), contested the international Mark Foy Trophy at Sonderborg, Denmark and finished second to Australia's JJ Giltinan champion John Winning. The placing gave Jamie and his PICA team the title European champion of 2011.

Jamie also led the PICA team to Australia in 2013 and 2014 to contest the JJ Giltinan Championship on Sydney Harbour.

In 2013, with Stewart Mears and Tristan Hull, Jamie skippered PICA into 11th place overall, in a strong 31-boat fleet, and recorded a best place 5th (in Race 3) as well as two other top ten placings in the six-races contested during the regatta.

In 2014, this time with Stewart and Matt Searle, Jamie skippered PICA into 17th place in a 34-boat fleet from six countries. The team had best placings of 7th and 8th in races 2 and 3, but disappointing placings in the next three races proved costly in the overall standings.

Club President John Winning expressed his sympathy on behalf of the Australian 18 Footers League, "It's a sad loss for his family and the 18s. While I didn't personally know Jamie that well, I know that he and his brother were very good 18 footer competitors when we met in major championships."

League Director Grant Rollerson, who competed many times against Jamie and his PICA team, added, "Jamie will be remembered as one of the great UK skiff sailors of his era."

"He always campaigned hard and with his brother Stu and, normally someone else with a fair bit of talent, like Tristan Hutt, Sandy Ramus or Matt Gill, they posted impressive results for years on end. Jamie embodied the classic skiff yachtie; tough as nails on the water and fast to buy you a beer on land. Sail on mate."

Sandy Ramus, "Obviously, we are all totally knocked for six right now but I will say that Jamie was a full charger whether it was in the 18, on the mountain or indeed in the bar. I never saw the guy back off, it was always foot to the floor. He was a passionate and very talented sailor and I was lucky enough to race with and against him for the best part of 25 years."

"The 18 suited his personality well and he taught me while sailing it that you have to get fully stuck in and never hesitate. Recently we had spent a lot of time together taking our sons to Optimists events and we both enjoyed watching the next generation coming through. He will be desperately missed by me, and indeed all."

Ben Clothier recalls, "While I was running the UK 18 Grand Prix series Jamie and Stewart were absolutely key to making the UK Class work during that time."

"Jamie was hugely supportive of the class and other competitors in his calm understated style. He was keen that the game was good for all taking part. One of a rare breed of hugely competent people who didn't feel the need to publicise or force his opinion."

"He set the bar for us in performance and conduct on the UK and European circuits, which made for some great years of competitive, fun and sociable racing. We all know the attitude and physicality that is needed to push a skiff and Jamie had this in spades."

"Jamie was a leader by example and his skill, knowledge and generosity was hugely respected and appreciated by all that knew him on the circuit."

Nic Tolhurst also recalls, "Jamie was well known to the skiff community. Firstly, starting in the early 2000s in B14s, where he narrowly missed out on the world championship title, on count back, on one occasion."

"He was a big supporter of the 18's and regularly travelled the venues of Europe and twice made the trip to Sydney. A fierce competitor on the track and a gregarious character in the boat park, he was widely respected and will be sorely missed."

Related Articles

Sydney Harbour Marathon - Reviving a classic
Long distance dinghy races have been popular for eons It can be said that sailing's diversity of classes is both a strength and a weakness. For some it means that whatever type of boat they want, there's going to a perfect match out there; for others, it dilutes one design fleets. Posted on 30 May
18ft Skiffs: The Beashels
An incredible sailing family The 18 footer class has a rich tradition of family generational competition and one of the most prominent families in all skiff racing is the Beashel family which, for five generations, also has an incredible history right across the sailing world. Posted on 28 May
Mark Foy, More than just the father of 18 footers
Retail businessman, entrepreneur, and a keen sportsman Mark Foy fathered the sport of 18 footer racing when he staged a regatta, featuring his spectator-driven concept, on Sydney Harbour in January 1892, but Foy was far more than a 'one-trick pony'. Posted on 14 May
18ft Skiffs: Team Barnabas
Father & son, champions together For the past 45 years in Australia, the name Barnabas has been at, or near, the top of 18ft skiff championship point scores and has produced a total of eleven World, six Australian and five international 18 footer victories. Posted on 1 May
Patrick Corrigan: Long-time 18ft Skiff sponsorship
Patrick's love of the sport benefited the 18s many years Anyone with an interest in sport knows that some level of sponsorship is essential for the success of an individual, a team, or an organising body. Posted on 19 Apr
Chris Webb, the first great 18 footer champion
The most famous skipper during the early period of the class Chris Webb was the most famous 18 footer skipper during the early period of the class. He was a legend and a major draw card every time he raced for the Sydney Flying Squadron (SFS), and won four 'official' Australian Championships. Posted on 12 Apr
Black Knight: Team Germany's JJ Giltinan challenge
Since the first regatta in 1938, twenty one countries have been represented at the event Since the first regatta in 1938, twenty one countries have been represented by some of their best sailing talent as they attempted to win the world's greatest 18ft skiff championship, the JJ Giltinan World's 18 footer Championship. Posted on 29 Mar
18ft Skiff Queen of the Harbour
Karly Zinga teams up with the Yandoo team for the win Karly Zinga became the Australian 18 Footers League's Queen of Sydney Harbour when she teamed with John Winning, Fang Warren and Josh Porebski on Yandoo to win the annual event today. Posted on 19 Mar
18ft Skiffs: Winning by name, a winner by nature
High achieving individual from a high achieving family It's never easy for a young man to follow in the footsteps of a famous father, but it's not impossible if you are John (Herman) Winning, the son of 18 Footer sailing world champion and legend, John (Woody) Winning. Posted on 15 Mar
Winning Group JJ Giltinan Championship overall
The defending champion Andoo team retain the trophy The defending champion Andoo team, John Winning Jr, Seve Jarvin and Sam Newton, retained the crown of world champion with an outstanding victory in the Winning Group JJ Giltinan 18ft Skiff Championship which concluded on Sydney Harbour today Posted on 12 Mar
Rooster 2023 - Aquafleece - FOOTERVaikobi 2023 Gloves - FOOTERHella Dual Colour Floodlights - 728 x 90px - 002 gif Bottom