Eight Bells: Simon 'Fumesy' Russell
January 6, 2021 - Simon Russell, first Melges 24 World Champion, suddenly passed away on January 5. One of sailing's great characters has been taken from us by Covid.
Simon Russell was sailing with Vince Brun, Simon Fry and Ian Walker on NORTH SAILS ONE DESIGN winning the inaugural Melges 24 World Championship hosted by the Royal Torbay Yacht Club, Torquay, England on September 21-26, 1998.
He was also Melges 24 National and European Champion.
He was known the world over in sailing, having raced in fleets such as the Etchells, Melges 24s, Ultra 30s, Mumm 30s, the X One Designs and many more.
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. Before that, he spent ten years at Jack Holt Ltd as a Technical Sales Manager in the dinghy and keelboat hardware division.
Covid-19 has taken away one of the great characters of the sailing world far too early. Our thoughts are with all his family, Audrey, his daughters Marcie and Lucie, his parents, sister Amanda and his many friends.
Sail on Fumesy.
Simon Russell
