We received sad news that John Ross-Duggan passed away yesterday in Hawaii. John was a C-7 Quadriplegic and still doing what he loved... sailing his Hobie Getaway in the surf with friends when they apparently capsized. We are told that he was sailing with two crew and after the capsize, the mast came down. John was trapped under the boat. One of the sailors was a trained EMT, but was not able to revive him.

John was an accomplished Hobie Catamaran racer and even after a car accident at the age of 23, that caused the paralysis... continued to follow his passion for sailing.

Follows is a history of his sailing career (significant achievements) taken from US Sailing

1998 World Disabled Sailing Gold Medalist
1996 US SAILING’S Male Athlete of the Year
1996 Paralympic Bronze Medalist
1996 Hobie 16 Trapseat World Champion
1977 Hobie 16 National Champion

RIP John.

Eight Bells

I sailed with JRD at a St Pete NOOD on a Sonar in the early 90's.

Great man Great Sailor!!

inspiring ....

fair winds ....

I remember sailing against John in the Hobie 18M class. 1989 Summer Sizzler Daytona beach. Waves breaking about 8-10 ft. John had to lay on the tramp and he was driving while his crew worked the sails. I watched him go out thru the surf as if he did this every day. Later he said he should have been wearing a dive mask and snorkel. An inspiration to the rest of us who were thinking about just staying on the beach.

Jeremy and I were also sailing in the Multihull Nationals in Daytona that year - we helped John set up his boat, put him on the tramp - he wrapped his arm around the tramp strap, grabbed the tiller and headed out through the surf with a grin. We had John Ross to port and Gaulden to starboard - guess we got schooled that day - we will miss you!!

More on John, RIP. http://www.staradvertiser.com/news/breaking/193626501.html

And from US SAILING http://sailingteams.ussailing.org/Games/Past/2004Athens/John_Ross-Duggan.htm