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The St Clair Brown name is well known in sailing circles and John St Clair Brown continued on his father's legacy of assisting some of this country's top sailors.
John St Clair Brown is being remembered after he passed away on Sunday, aged in his mid-70s.
He was a good yachtie, campaigning in various keelboats from Dragons and Etchells to Farr 1020s and Farr 30s (Mumm 30s), but it was his contribution to the development of promising young sailors that he had the biggest impact.
St Clair Brown's father Don is considered the 'father of New Zealand yachting', helping establish a tradition of success by Kiwi sailors at Olympic Games and world championships. He was also a team manager and established the Air New Zealand Olympicsail, which ran from 1978 to 1997.
Don St Clair Brown formed the New Zealand International Yachting Trust along with Sir Tom Clark, which has funded promising sailors for more than 30 years. The list of those who received support now reads like a who's who of New Zealand yachting and that support has extended to the New Zealand team that competes at the Youth Sailing World Championships.
The trust is now known as the NZL Sailing Foundation and John St Clair Brown was a key member for more than 20 years, predominantly acting as financial advisor and treasurer.
Don, left, and John St Clair Brown. Banner photo: John with his son Fraser, with Anticipation in the background. Photos: Supplied.
He was a successful businessman, helping establish Victoria Park Market, Waiwera Thermal Resort and Waiwera Water, but his main love was sailing and boating.
"Sailing ran very strongly in his bones," said Mike Sanderson, who sits on the NZL Sailing Foundation and is also the step-nephew of John St Clair Brown. "He lived and breathed it as a kid, especially as Don was such a big part of those early Olympic and offshore campaigns.
"He was a good yachtie and loved his boating, and was very knowledgeable. He certainly gave a lot back to yachting.
"I was fortunate to sit with him on the NZL Sailing Foundation so, rather than just seeing him at family functions, it was lovely to have spent more time with him over the last few years working together with the foundation's great work. John continued the legacy that his father created so I definitely feel that responsibility of the family baton being passed to me now.”
NZL Sailing Foundation chair Michelle Bain also paid tribute to St Clair Brown.
"We found his advice, dedication and contributions extremely valuable over many years," Bain said. "He was always a team player and a passionate supporter of New Zealand yachting."
