6:56 AM Fri 15 Jan 2010 GMT
Lake Macquarie Etchells skipper Ian Knight passed away suddenly on Tuesday 12th January, during the Australian titles.
Knight, 63 was sailing Mojo, with crew Keith Jensen and Warwick Bagnall when he became unconscious. Jensen and Bagnall performed CPR and he was transferred to the rescue boat which was by their side within seconds. The boat headed for the western side of Lake Macquarie and was met by an ambulance from John Hunter Hospital. Sadly he was not able to be revived.
Knight, a former Narromine farmer, lived at Fullerton Cove on Port Stephens. After his retirement he returned to sailing, having sailed dinghies in his youth.
In early 2004 Knight purchased Mojo his Etchells. Peter McNeill did not have a boat and without hesitation Knight loaned Mojo to McNeill to sail at the Mooloolaba Etchells Worlds in August 2004. McNeill with his crew of Greg Torpy and Paul Turner sailed Mojo, as Tom Pepper XVIII, to victory.
Knight was for a number of years, the Etchells Class Association Assistant Secretary to Ian Kingsford Smith and was an active and well respected Lake Macquarie Yacht Club member, in fact manning the registration desk for the current Australian event.
He and wife Ira were married for 26 years and had three daughters; Annabel, Emilia and Eliza.
Yesterday the entire Etchells fleet at the Nationals sailed with black ribbons flying on their backstays as a mark of respect and in recognition of Ian's significant contribution to the Etchells class in Australia.
Our sincere condolences to Ian's family and friends.
Ian Knight will be sadly missed.
by Etchells
|
Manly, QLD
