The Laser class has sadly lost a great friend and supporter. Geoff Myburgh from South Africa passed away on 2 March aged 81. Geoff was a keen Laser sailor and also one of ISAF’s first International Judges in 1982. His knowledge of the racing rules and Laser sailing combined to make him an ideal Laser judge and he served in that capacity at many major Laser championships.
He loved sailing. He was a keen Finn sailor and then Laser Master sailor in the Standard Rig and later in the Radial Rig. In 1996 he was involved in the organisation of the Laser World Championship held in Capetown, South Africa near where he lived. At that event he led a group of ‘senior’ Laser Grand Masters to suggest the introduction of a Great Grand Masters category to be sailed only in the Laser Radial. He would have been proud to have been at the 2009 Laser Masters in Canada to see the that his idea had grown to become the second largest of the seven Laser Master fleets with 41 competitors.
Geoff had a long involvement with the International Yacht Racing Union (now ISAF) where his obituary is published at http://www.isafyouthworlds.com/news/31896.php
The Laser Class and his many Laser friends extend our sympathy and condolences to his wife, Helen and her family.
Jeff Martin