The world of sailing today is a quieter and poorer place with the news that one of the UK's very best helms from the golden era of our sport has passed following a battle with illness. And what a fight it would have been, because first and foremost Larry Marks was a fierce competitor who would never give up on a race.
A hard driver of boat, crew, but most of all himself, in later years Larry would almost downplay his many achievements, not through false modesty but because his successes were 'what he did', through hard work, preparation, plus a huge chunk of self-taught talent, for his family background was far from the conventional next generation of sailors approach.
One of Larry's many famous quotes was that he believed more in determination than in any 'quick fix', with that strength of character that gave him the will to keep going evidenced by the efforts it took for him to make it to Hayling, where once again he was surrounded by so many he had crossed tacks with over the years.
Being old FiveO sailors, you'll not keep us away from a good meal and a bar for long, with one thing being for certain; the next time we meet, that traditional toast of 'absent friends' will have taken on a whole new meaning.
Larry Marks: 1 June 1935 - 10 December 2023
In the two days since Larry's death, word has come in from sailors around the globe, all asking that their thoughts be expressed and their deepest condolences passed on to Judy, Lisa, Phillipa and all the family.
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