decades of work and the New Zealand yachting legends who have come before us.’
With only 24 months to the start of The Ocean Race and with the world economy in freefall thanks to President Trump’s tariff wars, the nascent Kiwi team has a steep mountain to climb. But on Colman’s record of grit and odds-defying achievement, you might be ill-advised to bet against him pulling it off. Ivor Wilkins
GREAT BRITAIN
The decision by the International Paralympic Committee to run the 1996 Atlanta sailing demonstration event out of the Aqualand Marina on Lake Lanier in the foothills of the Georgia Blue Ridge Mountains, in preference to the temporary facilities in Savannah, raised eyebrows among the 15-strong Sonar fleet. What they knew for certain was that the lake had a reputation for unpredictable weather conditions, particularly in late August when the atmospheric conditions were in transition and large holes would be found across the course. As a demonstration event, along with wheelchair rugby, much was on the line with sailing in the spot- light, but for Andy Cassell, sailing with Kevin Curtis, Tony Downs and Ian Harrison in the Sonar class, it was the perfect canvas on which to paint the most extraordinary picture and make history. The British team knew that consistency would pay and, while Christopher Wornall’s Kiwi team streaked into the early lead, Cassell was certain that everyone would have good and bad days over the seven-race series. It was the third day of competition that was telling… in shifting breeze Cassell scored two bullets, with the Canadians taking second in each race; it was now a straight shoot- out for gold between these two in the final race. Cassell match-raced like his life depended on it and everything came down to the wire as Britain and Canada jostled mid-fleet. Cassell eked over the line in ninth, his discard for the regatta, with the Canadians one place back. The inaugural Paralympic sailing gold medal went to Britain and so impressed were the organisers with the level of both competition and inclusivity that sailing made the roster for the Paralympic Games for the next five quads. Andy returned to the Isle of Wight an Olympic hero but his restless, giving nature saw him exercise the platform he had built in winning the gold medal and the Andrew Cassell Foundation was formed at his beloved Cowes Corinthian Yacht Club where he was ever present. Over the next 29 years the Foundation flourished with hundreds of para sailors getting the opportunity not just to sail but to race and cruise on an equal footing in a fleet of Sonars against the able-bodied – something Andy was passionate about to his last breath.
Passing away in March after a short illness at 82, Andy passes on a remarkable legacy in both Cowes and international sailing, leaving the Cowes Corinthian YC as its Admiral and very much its beating heart. His journey to the top of sailing, though, started fur- ther east on Wootton Creek where having read the Kon Tiki expe- dition tales he collected driftwood off Norris beach, where his father was farm manager at Norris Castle, to create his first craft. It wasn’t successful, sinking almost immediately, but a hull of a 9ft dinghy was secured for his 10th birthday and, with the aid of a benevolent granny, a sail was fashioned from a tablecloth, a washing line pole acted as a mast and an old oar became the rudder. So concerned was Andy’s mother that she tethered him on a 60ft line as he ventured out into the creek. That didn’t last long, the line was cut and the young sailor began to learn his craft. Born with no legs and deformed hips, everything was against him, as it was to be for the rest of his life, but Andy refused to be bowed. Entry to the Albacore class, once again at the largesse of his benevolent grandmother, saw an almost immediate return with Andy winning the National Championships in 1961 as an 18-year- old, something truly pioneering in disability sport. Tiny Mitchell, the east coast sailor who founded the Cowes Corinthian Yacht Club in 1952, recognised this new talent and offered funding for Andy to compete in the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games – sadly his untimely passing ended Andy’s dreams and he set out on a career in sailmaking, first in Sussex and then at the famous Ratsey & Lapthorn loft in Cowes.
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