The New Zealand sailing community lost a revolutionary figure on Friday with the passing of David Barnes. We did not see that happen very often, especially when you come from a far corner of the world like New Zealand. Both had long associations with the America's Cup and Barnes became Michael Fay's right-hand-man for the Big Boat challenge of 1988. “As well as his sailing brain, he had a natural feel for a boat,” Willcox said. In 2013, he became involved with Kiwi Gold Sailing alongside fellow America's Cup veteran Rick Dodson as they attempted to qualify a Sonar for the 2016 Paralympics but withdrew from the team a year later as his condition worsened.

Source: Stuff October 23, 2020 03:57 UTC