Japanese Melges Pioneer Dies Of Cancer

It is with great sadness that we report the death of Mr Shojiro Yamazaki, who died of cancer of the liver on March 19th. Back in 1995 Mr Yamazaki visited Zenda to buy the first Melges 24 to be shipped to Japan. Thereafter he was personally responsible for the launching of the Melges 24 into Japan and for setting up the Japanese Melges 24 Class Organisation including obtaining official recognition from the Japanese Sailing Federation.

He succeeded in runnning the first Japanese Melges 24 National Championship in Nishinomiya of Kansai in 1998 and he continued to work hard to run the class and to communicate to all the owners and sailors about both club and championship racing.

Shojiro Yamazaki was without doubt the innovator of the Melges 24 movement in Japan and the JMCA and IMCA owe him an enormous debt of gratidue. Arrangements have been made for a ceremony to honour Mr Yamazaki and scatter ashes at sea on May 21st. Our thoughts and sympathies are with Mr Yamazaki's family and friends at this sad time.