Recognising the incredible legacy of Andrew Cassell

It with great sadness that we hear of the passing of Andrew Cassell, a remarkable force for good withing our sailing community.  

Andy passed away in Cowes after a short illness, a place he called home for much of his remarkable 83 years. 

He will forever be remembered for his pioneering work in inclusive sailing and for his gold medal victory at the 1996 Paralympic Games in Atlanta, where sailing made its Paralympic debut. 

With a racing career spanning over 50 years, Andy competed at the highest levels, excelling in various classes, from dinghies to keelboats, Dragons, and offshore racing yachts. He was part of a successful Three Quarter Ton campaign, placing third in the World Three Quarter Ton Cup, and was among the survivors of the infamous 1979 Fastnet Race, safely bringing his crew into harbour. Over the years, he continued to achieve victories, including helming Shadowfax to the Sigma 33 European Championship title and winning the Sonar Nationals in 2006. 

Passionate about giving back to the sport, following his Paralympic triumph Andy also co-founded the Andrew Cassell Foundation, dedicated to supporting individuals with physical disabilities, mental health conditions, and long-term illnesses in competitive sailing. Over nearly three decades, the foundation has inspired countless sailors, many of whom have gone on to compete on an equal footing with able-bodied athletes at the highest levels of the sport.  

Sara Sutcliffe, RYA CEO, said: “The passing of Andy will be felt deeply by many across our sailing community. He leaves behind a remarkable legacy championing inclusive sailing which has changed the lives of thousands and will continue to do so for a long time to come. His commitment to make sailing accessible for all is one we passionately share, and our thoughts are with Andy’s family, friends and fellow sailors at this time.”