J/111 skipper Bill Smith very nearly became the first posthumous winner of a Continental Championship this past weekend after a massive heart attack took the hard-nosed Chicago sailor’s life on Saturday morning. His Wooton was leading after the first day of racing for the North American Championship, with light airs killing off Saturday and very nearly claiming Sunday until a late thermal allowed a couple of races that crowned Kashmir as the new champion.
Smith was a self-made man who started as a carpenter and loved Chicago; he ended his life as a highly respected developer and project builder after a career the Tribune called ‘a towering achievement’.
Smith’s crew took the Wooton out to spectate on Sunday, when competitor Spaceman Spiff hoisted Smith’s spinnaker on the final run in tribute. Thanks to Steve Kindra for the news and for sending the photos on. Fair winds, BS.
