Tributes to marine stalwarts
Sir Peter Harrison, who sponsored the British challenge for the 2003 America’s Cup, has died, aged 84.
A keen sailor, Sir Peter first sailed on the Norfolk Broads as a child while a scout. He went on to own the 35m Bruce Farr-designed ketch Sojana – a regular at Antigua Sailing Week.
He was born in Cheadle, Cheshire, and after leaving school qualified as a chartered accountant. He worked for the likes of the Ford Motor Company and Crest Nicholson Group PLC before buying the marine instruments firm Chernikeeff in 1978. He sold it in 1999/2000 for £300 million.
He used part of the money to set up the Peter Harrison Foundation which promotes sporting opportunity and invests in education and care for people with special needs.
In 2000, Sir Peter launched his bid for the 2003 America’s Cup, Britain’s first since 1987, buying two Japanese Nippon Challenge boats for practice and then funding the build of the GBR Challenge Team’s GBR 70, known as Wight Lightning, and GBR 78, known as Wight Magic.
The team lost in the quarter finals to Dennis Conner’s Stars & Stripes.
Sir Peter Harrison 29 April 1937 – 18 June 2021.
The Royal Southampton Yacht Club is mourning the loss of its rear commodore, Stephen Parry, who died on 7 May 2021, aged 68.
An experienced sailor, Stephen was a commodore of the Lee on Solent Sailing Club where he was a trustee. He also volunteered on several RYA committees and served as Southern Region race management co-ordinator and was an RYA race officer.
Stephen was pivotal in growing the Royal Southampton Yacht Club’s race management team, along with his wife, Angela, a fellow race officer. A crowdfunder in memory of Stephen has raised £2,225 for the club’s trust which provides opportunities for young people.