Andrew Simpson, GBR Star sailor, Olympic Gold medallist in Quingdao and Silver medallist in 2012, has died after a Swedish catamaran capsized during a training session for the America's Cup in San Francisco Bay. He was one of an 11-man crew on board the Artemis Racing catamaran and the Swedish team's strategist. Iain Percy was his Artemis team boss.
Artemis said that doctors "afloat" with the team tried unsuccessfully to revive the British sailor after he was freed from the wreckage. He is believed to have been trapped for 10 mins.
Andrew, nicknamed 'Bart', was one of the GBR team who had become a familiar face to SolentXtra team members in the dinghy park at major events such as Sail for Gold, the Olympic Test Event and the Olympics themselves.
Andrew 'Bart' Simpson sailing with Iain Percy
Andrew started sailing at the age of six with his father in Dorset, where his talent was spotted by former UK national racing coach Jim Saltonstall. He sailed a Laser until 2000 before converting to the Finn. He acted as training partner to Iain Percy at the 2000 Olympics and then to Ben Ainslie four years later. He teamed up with Iain to take Olympic gold in the Star class in Quingdao but had to settle for silver at the 2012 Olympics where many of us believe that he was a victim of a medal race in the unpredicable Nothe race course - unlucky.
Andrew first met team mate Ian Percy at the age of seven. They played Lego together whenever they were unable to sail, and Ian was Andrew's best man at his wedding.
This is a tragic loss to sailing and at the age of only 36.
