Michael De Dutton York, OAM
It is with much sadness that we note the passing of sailing legend Mick York.
Mick York competed in hundreds of ocean races, sailed thousands of cruising miles and represented Australia in the America’s Cup, Admiral’s Cup, various world championships and Olympics.
He served an apprenticeship at Cockatoo Island and studied as a marine engineer, ran York’s Marine Service in Rushcutters Bay and became one of the original 3 directors of Barlow Winches.
Notably Mick was part of the Gretel campaign for the America’s Cup in 1962 as forward hand.
Gretel on Sydney Harbour
Also sailing on other ‘famous’ yachts, namely Caprice of Huon in the Admirals Cup and the 5.5 metre Barrenjoey in the 1968 Olympics.
He retired from competitive ocean racing after crewing aboard Kialoa III in her then record breaking Sydney to Hobart line honours win in 1975.
Kialoa III 1975 Sydney to Hobart
Mick then cruised extensively with his wife Jeanette in their steel yawl Rockhopper.
Mick became deeply involved in the preservation work of the Sydney Maritime Museum and Heritage Fleet. For many years was the skipper of the schooner Boomerang and was instrumental in the restorations of the James Craig and more recently John Oxley. He was a Life Governor of the museum.
At GFS we will remember Mick as a wily sailor on his Etchells ‘Rob Roy’, a regular attendee at dinners with Jeanette after Twilight racing and with the Mick York Trophy which he made in the image of a vintage skiff.
He will be a huge loss to the sailing community.
