Simon ‘Fumesy’ Russell passes away

Marine industry character Simon Russell, known by many as Fumesy, passed away suddenly on Tuesday from Covid-19.

Simon worked in the marine industry for over 25 years, most recently as a Director of Sportsboat World, after eleven years as Corporate Sales Manager at Musto, where he focused on growing the team sales business. Prior to that, he spent ten years at Jack Holt Ltd as a Technical Sales Manager in the dinghy and keelboat hardware division.

Speaking to Yachts & Yachting online, his sister Amanda said: “It is with great sadness we share the news of the sudden passing of my brother Simon ‘Fumesy’ Russell. He was much loved by his family, his girls and Audrey and a great many friends in the sailing and motorcar world. We are all absolutely devastated and in shock. He will be missed always and in our hearts.”

Known the world over as a keen and talented sailor, Simon raced in fleets such as the Etchells, Melges 24s, Ultra 30s, Mumm 30s, the X One Designs and many more. Christian Brewer, fellow sailor in the XODs, who raced with Fumesy in the 1999 Mumm 30 Worlds, says: “He was always smiling. Being around him made you feel good about life – he was such a positive person.”

The marine industry and sailing world has lost one of its great characters and our thoughts are with all his family and friends.