My Tribute to Ian Vickers — Master Designer, Champion Radio Sailor, and Gentleman of the Sport
- May 4
- 2 min read
The global radio‑sailing community is mourning the loss of Ian Vickers, the renowned New Zealand sailor, designer, and founder of Vickers RC Sailing, who passed away yesterday after a courageous battle with cancer. His illness had become widely known in April, when the Australian Radio Yachting Association shared that he had been admitted to hospital in a gravely ill condition, prompting an outpouring of support from sailors around the world.
Ian’s contribution to radio sailing was profound. A gifted competitor, he remained fiercely capable even in the final months of his life — winning the North Island Championships at the end of March, a testament to both his skill and his indomitable spirit. Even then, he was still the first to jump into the rescue boat, still setting courses, still giving fellow sailors “a hiding on the race track,” as one tribute put it.
But Ian’s legacy extends far beyond his results on the water. As the designer behind the V8, V9, and most famously the V12 International One Metre, he reshaped the competitive landscape of the class. Boats built in his Beach Haven workshop in Auckland became fixtures at major regattas worldwide, known for being light, stiff, fast, forgiving, and beautifully engineered. The V12 design alone achieved 2nd and 3rd place at the 2024 IOM World Championships in Gladstone, Australia — a reflection of the precision and philosophy he poured into every hull.
Ian was admired not only for his technical brilliance but for his character. He was widely described as a champion sailor and a champion bloke — generous with his time, humble in victory, and unfailingly supportive of sailors at every level. His workshop was as much a hub of mentorship as it was a place of craftsmanship.
Across the world, sailors are united today in grief and gratitude. His designs will continue to race for decades, but more importantly, his influence will continue to shape the culture of the sport he loved.
Ian is survived by his family and a worldwide community of sailors who considered him a friend, a mentor, and an inspiration.
Fair winds, Ian. Your boats will keep sailing — and so will your legacy.
Some youtube videos featuring Ian
Interview at Gladstone World championships
Our Champion shows his skills Ian Vickers 61, 2nd at 2024 worlds, 2nd Oceania 2025
Talking IOM Setup with Ian Vickers
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