We bring you the very sad news that former Finn sailor, Finn coach, IFA VP Development from 1990-1997 and international judge, Pat Healy passed away on 17 May 2025.
Pat was an International Judge since 1990, a former International Umpire, and a US Sailing and Sail Canada Judge since 1981. He served at seven Olympic and Paralympic Games; four as a coach and three as a judge. He was a committed volunteer since the 1980, for World Sailing as Chairman of the IJSC and an International Judge Instructor, for Canada and the USA teaching racing rules and judging, and for CORK/Sail Kingston. His history is long and storied as a Finn sailor, a meteorologist, a coach, and a judge.
Pat’s vocation was sailing. He helped to develop sailors as Head Coach then Director of Inter-collegiate Sailing at the U.S. Naval Academy, as Canadian National Sailing Coach, and in the rest of the world. He was the Regatta Director for the Challenger of Record Committee America’s Cup XXIV.
He is an inductee in the Canadian Sailing Hall of Fame and in the US Intercollegiate Sailing Hall of Fame with the Campbell Family Award for Lifetime Service.
Pat’s rules knowledge and training expertise were sought by many. His insights shaped the understanding of the racing rules of all who worked with him. His clear understanding of the rules and his kind, humorous and spirited manner enlightened and entertained us all as he urged us to get better.
After a period sailing Finns, he turned to coaching and qualified as an International Judge and became a regular on the jury at Finn events. His last major event was the Finn World Masters in 2018. He was due to come to several more events since, but illness unfortunately kept him away.
He always brought reassurance, a great sense of humour and a love of the Finn class and Finn sailors. He will be greatly missed by all of us who had the good fortune to know him.
IFA sends its deepest condolences to his family and friends.
