We just heard about the passing of one of the truly good guys in our sport, Bruce Sutphen. The Sunfish class put together a fitting tribute:
It is with a heavy heart that we let you know that Bruce Sutphen, 1987 Sunfish World Champion, passed away on February 22nd after a yearlong battle with cancer. Bruce’s wife started a blog after he was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma on early 2017.
From Scott Kyle, 2-time Sunfish World Champion and Past USSCA President:
“I met Bruce in the 8th grade when he moved to Winnetka, IL from the East Coast. We had a shared passion for sailing and athletics, and fast became best friends. We were inseparable throughout high school, starting the New Trier Sailing Team together, training endlessly on land and water, and travelling the world competing in Sunfish and other sailing competitions. Bruce was a great friend and competitor, possessing the rare dual quality of someone you wanted to hang out with on land, but respected and didn’t mind getting beat by on the water since his character was pure gold.
Bruce was always generous with his time and smile. He was also one of the funniest people I ever met. I still tell friends about his 1987 World Sunfish Champs awards speech. I was so proud he accomplished our childhood dream of becoming a world champion, and prouder still to call him my friend. He will be missed by many.” Click here for more.
