Mike Birch | |
---|---|
Born |
Vancouver,
British Columbia, Canada | 1 November 1931
Died | 26 October 2022
Brech, France | (aged 90)
Nationality | French |
Occupation | Navigator |
Mike Birch (1 November 1931 – 26 October 2022) was a Canadian navigator. [1]
Birch began sailing later in his life, but gained notoriety in the 1976 OSTAR where he came in second on a 30' trimaran "The Third Turtle" beating the 236' "CLUB MEDITERRANEE". He continued his surprising success as a solo sailor in the inaugural Route du Rhum in 1978. His sailboat, the Olympus Photo, a 12-meter trimaran, caught up with the larger Kriter V of Michel Malinovsky late in the race. [2]
Birch's victory at the Route du Rhum would begin the reign of the multihull, particularly following the death of Alain Colas. Birch continued a long career racing offshore, [3] completing his final race at the Transat Jacques Vabre in 2007, where he finished in 16th place. [4]
Birch died in Brech, France on 26 October 2022, at the age of 90. [5]
Mike Birch | |
---|---|
Born |
Vancouver,
British Columbia, Canada | 1 November 1931
Died | 26 October 2022
Brech, France | (aged 90)
Nationality | French |
Occupation | Navigator |
Mike Birch (1 November 1931 – 26 October 2022) was a Canadian navigator. [1]
Birch began sailing later in his life, but gained notoriety in the 1976 OSTAR where he came in second on a 30' trimaran "The Third Turtle" beating the 236' "CLUB MEDITERRANEE". He continued his surprising success as a solo sailor in the inaugural Route du Rhum in 1978. His sailboat, the Olympus Photo, a 12-meter trimaran, caught up with the larger Kriter V of Michel Malinovsky late in the race. [2]
Birch's victory at the Route du Rhum would begin the reign of the multihull, particularly following the death of Alain Colas. Birch continued a long career racing offshore, [3] completing his final race at the Transat Jacques Vabre in 2007, where he finished in 16th place. [4]
Birch died in Brech, France on 26 October 2022, at the age of 90. [5]