Ted Turner, legendary American communications and business pioneer, and arguably the most accomplished international yachtsman of the 20th Century, has died at the age of 87.
His extraordinary life covered a very wide range of active interests. But for the global sailing community, he is the skipper who successfully defended the America's Cup racing the appropriately-named Courageous when the racing was in the International 12 Metre Class at Newport, Rhode Island, and as well he was overall winner of the storm-struck 1979 Fastnet Race sailing the 63ft sloop Tenacious.
We will be taking a more detailed overview of the life and times of Ted Turner in due course in Afloat.ie, meanwhile we salute one of sailing's true 'Greats', and our condolences are with his very many shipmates.
Tenacious arrives at the Fastnet Rock in August 1979 an hour or two before the storm struck, and from whch she emerged victorious. Photo Cork Examiner
