In Memoriam: Mike Evans

The sailing community is mourning the loss of Mike Evans, who passed away recently.

Mike was Executive Director of the International Yacht Racing Union from 1987-1995, taking over from Secretary General Nigel Hacking. He had previously been the Chairman of the UK Royal Yachting Association and team leader of the Great Britain sailing team at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

Mike’s time as Executive Director and coincided with Peter Tallberg’s term as IYRU President as the organisation expanded and commercialised. He was heavily involved in the organisation of Olympic sailing events in Busan, South Korea, as part of Seoul 1988, and again at Barcelona 1992.

In 2015, Mike was presented with the Royal Yachting Association’s National Award by Her Royal Highness Anne, the Princess Royal.

Mike enjoyed success on the water, too, particularly in the Enterprise Class. He won the UK National Championship in 1958, the UK National 12 Burton Cup and National 12ft Championships in 1961, which he retained the following year, as well as winning the Endeavour Trophy ‘Champion of Champions’.  His racing career also included winning the coveted Norfolk Broads Yacht Club Gold Cup eight times in his Yare and Bure One Design ‘Alder Kitten’. He later became President of the Norfolk and Suffolk Boating Association.

Mike’s passion for the sport and his contribution to the development of the sport has left a lasting legacy and he will be deeply missed by everyone at World Sailing.