John Ripard Snr, Olympian and co-founder of Rolex Middle Sea Race, dies aged 96
Ripard was one of Malta’s most prominent figures in sailing and yachting
John Ripard Snr, the Honorary President of the Royal Malta Yacht Club and one of the founding figures of the Rolex Middle Sea Race, has died aged 96.
Ripard Snr was one of Malta’s most prominent figures in sailing and yachting, with a career that spanned racing, sports administration and the development of the local maritime community.
His death was announced by the club in a Facebook post on Wednesday.
“A visionary sailor, an Olympian, and one of the founding figures of the Rolex Middle Sea Race, John has left an indelible mark on Malta’s maritime heritage. His passion for the sea, his leadership, and his generous spirit inspired generations of sailors to take to the water,” the club wrote.
The Royal Malta Yacht Club said it was “forever grateful” for Ripard Snr’s decades of contribution to the club and to sailing in Malta.
“His legacy will continue to guide us,” it said, adding that funeral arrangements would be announced in due course.
'A large character'
Speaking to Times of Malta, his son John Ripard Jr said it was difficult to give a complete picture of his father.
“He was a large character who achieved much in his life mostly as a devoted family man, having four children, 12 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren, but also as a sportsman, a businessman, a traveller, and an adventurer,” Ripard said, noting that his father continued to sail well into his 80s, while swimming almost daily well into his 90s.
He said his father had a “mischievous and pioneering spirit”.
“He had a zest for life that is difficult to match. As a family we would spend many months in the summer every year as far back as I can remember, so I’m talking about the 60s onward, sailing all over the Mediterranean. He taught us how to live, laugh and love.”
Competing in Rome Olympics
Born in Sliema in 1930, he represented Malta in sailing at the 1960 Rome Olympic Games, competing in the Star class alongside his brother Paul.
He is best remembered as one of the driving forces behind the Middle Sea Race, which was first held in 1968 and went on to become one of the Mediterranean’s leading offshore races.
The race was born out of discussions between British sailors Alan Green and Jimmy White and Maltese sailors John and Paul Ripard, all members of the Royal Malta Yacht Club.
Ripard also competed in the race, winning the inaugural edition in 1968 aboard Josian and again in 1970 aboard Tikka II.
Beyond his achievements on the water, Ripard served the sport internationally as a sailing official and judge, including at America’s Cup events and Olympic sailing competitions.
Ripard was part of the family behind John Ripard & Son, a shipping agency established in Valletta in 1901 by his grandfather, also John Ripard. The company, which began as an agent for passenger and cargo services operating through the Mediterranean, grew into one of Malta’s longstanding maritime businesses.
Over the decades, the family firm became closely associated with the development of shipping services in Malta, including the growth of containerised cargo operations. Ripard later served in senior roles within the business.