I first started talking to Robert “Kilo” Killick nearly a decade ago after he contacted me to find out how SA was live streaming sailing on the web. A classic 18-foot skiff sailor and a Sailing Anarchist from the earliest days, Kilo was fascinated with the idea he could stream his beloved 18-Footers to the world over the internet. We spoke frequently over the years, sharing tech developments, drawings, and stories (and man did he have a lot of them!), until finally Kilo and I got to share some Bundaberg in Sydney in 2013 while he put the finishing touches on what would become the first-ever live-streamed 18 Footers racing.
Kilo passed away on Saturday while at his computer, most likely watching a replay of the America’s Cup or checking out the SA forums. He was a junkie for anything that had to do with high performance racing, and his zest for life and for his sport was unequalled. My next trip to Oz will be a little bit sadder without Kilo to share a drink and a smoke with, and I’ll miss my skype buddy desperately, but that’s nothing compared to the Sydney Harbor community and Kilo’s family and his close friends in the tight-know skiff community, all of whom have truly lost a legend. If you want to get a feeling for just how passionate Kilo was, head over to this 2013 interview I did with him on the eve of his first-ever live stream. Below is the obituary we’ve pulled from the folks at 18footers. Huge thanks to Cocko, BVM, and the other Sydney skiffies who’ve been sharing stories with us to remember Kilo.
-Clean
It is with great sadness that we see the sudden passing of one of Sydney Harbour’s great sailing legends Robert “Kilo” Killick who crossed his last finishing line on Saturday 24 June. Kilo was well known around Sydney Harbour, Port Hacking, Hervey Bay and numerous locations around the planet through his sailing, whale watching, charter vessel operations and pretty much any activity that involved having fun.
In recent years he was best known for his contribution to 18 ft skiff sailing whether it was Saturdays skippering the Historic 18 ft skiff “Yendys” out of the Sydney Flying Squadron or Sundays following the modern 18 footers out of the League at Double Bay around the track on Sydney Harbour in the Camera Cat. Kilo was passionate about 18 footer sailing and played a pivotal role in developing and sustaining both classes.
At the Sydney Flying Squadron Kilo was a key figure behind the building of a number of the replica skiffs including the most recent Myra Too being Billy Barnett’s 1951 winning skiff, and his beloved “Yendys” that he cared for like a father.
Kilo was a great man, he had a great heart and shared his love generously in bringing people together and providing encouragement towards helping us believe in ourselves.
For those of us who were fortunate enough to share his acquaintance he leaves a big hole in our heart, but always a smile on our face.
Never a dull moment Kilo!
Heartfelt condolences to Sam, Mackenzie and Angus and his family.
Bon Voyage brother.
Billy Loader
-Commodore Sydney Flying Squadron
