We are sad to tell you the news that Richard Thompson died on Thursday February 1st.
Richard came to ISC in 1967 crewing International 14s.
He finished in the top 6 in POW several times; winning the coveted Trophy crewing Ian Cox in 1971 after a spectacular final gybe at the last buoy.
He was a member of The International 14 Team in 1971 and 1975.
About 2000 he joined The National Swallow Class and had many years fun racing Swallow 86 Migrant. Winning Cowes Week in 2005 and 2009 with Charles Fisher and his wife Carol.
Richard served on the RYA Racing Rules Committee from 1998 – 2020.
He was elected to the Racing Rules Cttee of ISAF in 2005 and served on this Cttee until 2020; the Racing Rules that he wrote have only just been replaced on January 1st 2024. He was given an RYA Volunteer award for National and International Services to sailing by Princess Anne in 2021.
Richard was a keen Team Racing Umpire, and he ran The Annual Team Racing Championship for The Prince Philip Trophy for many years; being given a Lifetime Achievement award for his efforts.
A Thanksgiving Service will be held later.