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Yachting New Zealand are deeply saddened by the loss of Stuart Pedersen after the yacht he was on sunk in rough conditions off the coast of Northland yesterday.
Pedersen was travelling with his wife and two friends north of Cape Brett when they put out a mayday call. Members of the Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter service were able to winch all four into the helicopter but Pedersen had passed away.
"Stu made a massive contribution to the sport and was also just a great guy," Yachting New Zealand chief executive David Aberombie said. "He's going to be missed and our thoughts are with his family and friends as well as the crew, especially Stu's wife Pamela who is still in hospital.
"Stu had a big impact on the sport nationally through his involvement in class associations, especially windsurfing, and his work with young people in the Bay of Plenty region. He was an active club member of the Tauranga Yacht & Power Boat Club and long-time chairman of the Bay of Plenty Sailing Academy Trust."
Pedersen began sailing as a youngster in the 1970s and completed a circumnavigation of the globe with his family between 2000 and 2007. He sailed a Tornado in Tauranga and also established a junior windsurfing fleet at the yacht club.
- Photo: New Zealand Herald.
