Please select your home edition
Edition
SOUTHERN-SPARS-AGLAIA-SPARS_728X90 TOP

Ralph Roberts (87) MBE, Olympic sailor, manager, judge and administrator passes away

by Richard Gladwell Sail-World.com/nz 18 Mar 19:12 PDT
Geoff Smale and Ralph Roberts on trapeze sailing their Flying Dutchman, Takapuna ahead of the 1968 Olympic Regatta © John Mallitte

Double Olympic representative Ralph Roberts passed away this morning, March 19, 2023. He was aged 87yrs

As well as representing New Zealand in the Finn class at the 1960 Olympics in Rome (aged 25yrs, finishing 6th) he, along with helmsman Geoff Smale represented New Zealand again in the Flying Dutchman class in 1968 (8th).

At the age of 23yrs, he and Smale first put New Zealand Yachting in the international map in 1958, with a win in the prestigious Prince of Wales Trophy sailed in the International 14ft skiffs. The event was held in Cowes, Isle of Wight.

Roberts was selected as a reserve for the 1964 Olympics, for the Flying Dutchman class and was instrumental in Helmer Pedersen and Earle Wells winning New Zealand's second yachting Gold medal.

He was a multiple National Champion in the Finn, Flying Dutchman and Soling classes, winning five national titles in the Finn and Flying Dutchman and two in the Soling class. He won his first national title in 1954, for U-19yrs) in the Cornwell Cup for Z-class and was NZ champion in the keenly contested class in 1957. Going on to win his first National Finn class title in 1958.

As a sailor he was renowned for his strength, toughness of character, excellent long eyesight, and an ability to read natural weather signs which enabled him to sense changes in the breeze. He combined these with good sailing intuition, and a feel for boatspeed, to be a formidable competitor particularly in a fresh breeze. Ralph was an excellent analyst of sailing, particularly when he moved across into mentoring younger sailors, and possessed strong, but simple communication skills.

In 1984 he was appointed manager of the NZ Olympic Yachting Team, which ended a dry run for New Zealand at the Olympics, winning two Gold medals (Finn and Tornado) and a Bronze (Mens Windsurfer).

Following the clothing weigh-in incident with Russell Coutts clothing (Finn class) at the 1984 Olympics, Roberts was invited to become an international judge by the Chairman Olympic Jury on recommendation to World Sailing (then IYRU). He was the first New Zealander to be appointed to an Olympic Jury for the 1988 Olympic Sailing Regatta in Pusan, Korea.

Roberts later became an International Umpire and had a strong association with the Congressional Cup at Long Beach Yacht Club, and the International Youth Match Racing at Balboa Yacht Club.

In 1990, he was appointed as Chef de Mission for the New Zealand Olympic team at the 1992 Olympiad in Barcelona, where the NZ Yachting team had most numerous medal win, and with no competitor finishing below 5th place.

He was President for the New Zealand Yachting Federation from 1986 to 1989. He served a second term on the Yachting New Zealand Board from 2006-2012, and in 2010 was made a Life member of Yachting New Zealand. He was awarded the New Zealand Olympic Order in 2011, by Dr Jacques Rogge, then President of the International Olympic Committee.

As a long-standing member of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, Roberts was involved in several international yachting campaigns including the 1989 NZ Admirals Cup team and in an advisory capacity for the setup and recruitment for the NZ Challenge for the 1987 America's Cup.

He died peacefully in his sleep, just before dawn.

A service for Ralph will be held at St Mary's Cathedral, Parnell on Friday March 24, at 1100hrs.

Related Articles

Battle of the Hikers preview
No trapeze? Get to Rutland this May! The very popular Battle of the Hikers will take place on the 27th and 28th May 2023. 30+ boats are expected. The Graduates were the biggest class last time. Nick Craig sailing his OK was the overall winner. Posted on 18 Mar
Laurent Hay remains top of Finn World Ranking
Following six more counting events since the last release Laurent Hay, from France, remains the Finn World No 1 following six more counting events since the last release. European champion Miguel Fernandez Vasco, from Spain, moves up 29 places to second while Bas de Waal, from the Netherlands remains in third. Posted on 9 Mar
Finn Class News for February 2023
Entry is now open for all major championships This week entry has opened for the 2023 Finn European Masters Championship in Campione de Garda, the final major championship of the year. Posted on 24 Feb
2023 Finn Gold Cup in Miami overall
Ed Wright secures second Finn Gold Cup after no racing on final day in Miami Britain's Ed Wright has won the Finn Gold Cup in Miami, USA, after no racing was possible on the final day on Biscayne Bay. Posted on 31 Jan
2023 Finn Gold Cup in Miami Day 4
Light winds mix fleet Light winds mixed the fleet on the fourth day of the 2023 Finn Gold Cup in Miami. Ed Wright from Britain extended his lead to 11 points from Domonkos Nemeth from Hungary, while Miguel Fernandez Vasco, from Spain is back up to third. Posted on 31 Jan
2023 Finn Gold Cup in Miami Day 3
Young guns close gap on Ed Wright After two days of very cloudy conditions, the Sunshine State started to live up to its name again on Bacardi Race Day, the third day of the 2023 Finn Gold Cup in Miami. Posted on 30 Jan
2023 Finn Gold Cup in Miami Day 2
Ed Wright extends his lead over Domonkos Nemeth It was breeze on in Miami for Day 2 of the 2023 Finn Gold Cup. After four races now sailed, Ed Wright, from Britain, extends his lead while Domonkos Nemeth, from Hungary stays in second. Posted on 29 Jan
2023 Finn Gold Cup in Miami Day 1
Ed Wright opens with two bullets The 2010 Finn world champion Ed Wright, from Britain, has taken the early lead at the 2023 Finn Gold Cup in Miami, USA, after winning both races on the opening day at Coconut Grove Sailing Club. Posted on 28 Jan
2023 Finn Gold Cup opens at Coconut Grove in Miami
It's been a long time in the planning and a dream for the Miami fleet for an even longer time It's been a long time in the planning and a dream for the Miami fleet for an even longer time, but finally the 2023 Finn Gold Cup has been opened at Coconut Grove Sailing Club as a single canon was fired on the dock at the club. Posted on 27 Jan
Fabulous conditions ahead of 2023 Finn Gold Cup
The fleet has descended on Biscayne Bay over the past few days >The Finn class has descended on Miami for the 2023 Finn Gold Cup with fabulous conditions on Biscayne Bay over the past few days. Posted on 26 Jan
Henri-Lloyd 2022 December - SW FOOTERRS Sailing 2021 - FOOTERNorth Sails 2021 Innovation - FOOTER