The CYCA mourns the passing of Past Commodore Norman Rydge.

Norman, who served as Commodore from 1967-1969, was a stalwart of ocean sailing both in Australia and around the world.

He competed in many Sydney Hobart Yacht Races, most notably finishing third overall on his Alan Payne-designed Lorita Maria in the 1963 race.

Norman, a CYCA Member for 58 years, was part of the committee which conceived Australia’s first Admiral’s Cup challenge in 1965.

In 1966, Lorita Maria became the first Australian yacht to participate in the Bermuda Race and the Trans-Atlantic Race.

Norman also owned the Kaufman 41 Koomooloo when she competed in the 1971 Admiral’s Cup.

Models of Lorita Maria and Koomooloo, generously donated to the CYCA by Norman in 2021, take pride of place in Coasters Retreat.

The Koomooloo Trophy is now the perpetual trophy for Division 1 of the Sydney Hobart Classic Yacht Regatta.

Watch Peter Shipway’s interview with Norman from 2014 as part of the CYCA Video Archive Project.

Vale Norman Rydge (1928-2022)