Written and spoken by Robert McClelland, Commodore RPAYC
I want to take a moment to recognise someone truly special in our RPAYC community – Bruce Ritchie.
Bruce is 93 years young and still very much a part of our sailing world. He’s been a member of RPAYC for nearly 47 years – and Middle Harbour Yacht Club for an incredible 70 years. That’s close to eight decades of competitive sailing – from dinghies to skiffs, Etchells, 5.5s, and just about everything in between.
Bruce started sailing in the 1940s – salvaged his first dinghy from the mud in Mosman and sold it for 10 quid. From there, he raced 18-footers, then converted one to a keelboat by melting lead over a beach fire to make a keel. That gives you a sense of the kind of sailor – and innovator – Bruce has always been.
He’s won State and National titles in the Diamond class, represented Australia at the 505 Worlds in France, and was third in the Etchells World Championship in 1976. In 1986, he won the Scandinavian Gold Cup in the 5.5 Metre class – a trophy second only to the America’s Cup in age and prestige – and was invited aboard the Norwegian royal yacht by King Olav V to celebrate!
Bruce has built or restored 18 boats – many of them named after his wife Jan – and helped introduce new classes to Australia. He even once designed a powerboat so stylish that Kerry Packer bought one.
And just when you think he might slow down, in his 80s Bruce designed a 38-foot carbon-wrapped racing yacht – Revolver – which he built with his son Michael. That boat, by the way, just won the Super 40 Division at the Pittwater Regatta this year.
Bruce, your story is part of the very fabric of this club – and you’ve shown us that sailing isn’t just a sport, it’s a lifelong adventure. Thank you for everything you’ve done – on the water and off – and for continuing to inspire us with your sharp eye, steady hand, and huge passion for sailing.
Let’s raise a glass to Bruce Ritchie – sailor, innovator, and legend.
Bruce will continue to build on his lifelong contributions to the world of sailing from ashore!
