Reg White

Winning four of the first six races, Reg White did not need to start in the seventh race to clinch the first Olympic title for the Tornado class. Helmsman White had his brother-in-law John Osborn as his crew and the family Olympic tradition was continued in 1984 when Reg’s son Robert White was the helmsman for Britain’s entry in the Tornado class. Reg himself was the reserve helmsman. A boatbuilder from Brightlingsea, Reg White was the world champion in the Hornet class in 1964 and the Tornado class in 1976 and 1980. He was awarded the MBE in the 1977 New Year’s Honors List.

In the nineties he forged a successful catamaran building business with fellow Olympic champion Yves Loday which thrived into the 21st century. White continued sailing into his seventies and it was whilst competing in a club race off his native Brightlingsea that he died. Seconds after crossing the finishing line he suffered a fatal heart attack.