Renowned Australian yachtsman Sir James Hardy has died aged 90.
Hardy was a two-time Olympian and skippered Australia’s America’s Cup challenges in 1970, 1974 and 1980.
He also served as the key advisor to the team in 1983 when John Bertrand ended the US’s 132-year dominance of the event.
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AOC president Ian Chesterman paid tribute to Hardy.
“James Hardy’s name is inextricably bound with the sport he loved over so many decades,” he said in a statement.
“He was picked for the Tokyo 1964 Games then Mexico 1968 Games in the 5.5 metre class – finishing seventhth in Mexico – and he famously led the charge for Australia in three America’s Cup campaigns as skipper.
“He ignited Australia’s obsession with claiming that trophy, eventually achieved in 1983, with Sir James advising winning skipper John Bertrand.
“James Hardy made an impact in many areas during his life, and he will be very sadly missed by the sailing community and the broader Australian sports community.”
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