Jeff Martin Death is Sailing’s Loss

Jeff Martin

The sailing world lost one of its most respected and influential members last Friday when Jeff Martin, Executive Secretary of the International Laser Class Association for 40 years, had a heart attack while skiing in the French Alps.

Martin apparently suffered a heart attack on a chair lift and then fell off the lift. Here’s a report from the Sun.

There have been and will be many outpourings of respect and sadness at his passing. I never knew Martin, 65 years old at his death, personally. But I sailed in a Laser Masters Worlds he ran and it was the best event I’ve ever attended.

Martin stayed at the hel of the Laser class through thick and thin, navigating it through the drama of becoming an Olympic boat while running outstanding regattas in venues throughout the world. He was a big reason for Laser’s success, and in turn that class strength has created countless happy and skilled sailors. As chairman of the World Sailing Classes Committee he played a leading role in the development of our sport.

From the International Laser Class Association:

ILCA is shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of Jeff Martin on 11 January 2019 while on a ski holiday with family and friends. 

Jeff’s dedication to the sport of sailing was unparalleled, having served as the Executive Secretary of the International Laser Class Association for 40 years. Jeff was a cornerstone of Laser events, having worked at every Laser Open World Championship except the first one in 1974 where he was a competitor. 

The loss of Jeff Martin will be keenly felt throughout the sailing world and our deepest condolences go out to Jeff’s family and friends. 

In September Martin was one of the inaugural members of the Laser Hall of Fame. Here are the details.

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