Renowned sailor and Olympic team manager Cliff Norbury dies, age 93

Cliff Norbury, mastmaker, world champion sailor and Olympic team manager has died aged 93.

Norbury was one of the biggest names in dinghy and keelboat racing throughout the 1950s, 60s and 70s. He sailed Finns, Merlins, Fireflys and Ospreys, but is best remembered as a champion National 12 helm in the days when it was one of the largest, most competitive classes in Britain. He was twice Tempest world champion, British Olympic team manager and a hard-working advocate for sailors within the RYA and ISAF.

An online post written by his daughter Sarah remembers how, after his master’s degree in aeronautics, Norbury was forging a career in the aerospace industry when he was lured away by his friend Ian Proctor to apply his knowledge to aluminium masts. Together, they experimented with chemicals and design factors to produce lighter, stronger, more aerodynamic spars. For decades Proctors was the biggest mast maker in the world, with Norbury as production director, and later managing director.

Later, Norbury wanted to give something back to the sport he loved and took on voluntary roles with the RYA and ISAF including British Olympic team manager and chairman of the ISAF Technical Committee. In total, including time as a measurer, he played a role at five Olympic Games.

In his 70s, he retired from the racing world and bought a Starlight 39 on which he and his family enjoyed many happy times cruising in Brittany.

There will be a thanksgiving for Cliff Norbury on 26 January 2024 in Warsash, details are available on a dedicated website created in his memory.