It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Ian Vickers of Auckland, New Zealand — a giant of the International One Metre class and one of the most respected figures in RC sailing, both in New Zealand and around the world.

Ian’s 2026 season alone speaks to the calibre of the man. In January he won the Auckland Anniversary Regatta, and just two months later he travelled to Kai Iwi Lakes to contest the 2026 North Island Championships — a 45-strong fleet that included visiting sailors from Australia and France. Defending his title, Ian won the Gold Fleet convincingly, and the Race Officer’s report noted with admiration that he was helping watch conditions on the water for the race team at the same time as preparing to defend his crown. That was Ian — always contributing, always giving more than was asked of him.

His wider record is extraordinary. A former 470 class sailor who brought full-scale racing intelligence to the pond, Ian won the Australian IOM Nationals, finishing nearly 40 points clear of the field. He represented New Zealand at multiple IOM World Championships, including a 3rd place finish at the 2019 IOM World Championships — one of the finest results ever achieved by a New Zealand radio sailor on the world stage. He was the 2022 New Zealand IOM Class Champion, and his name appeared at the top of results sheets from Auckland Champs to the North Island Championship year after year.

But Ian’s contribution extended far beyond his own racing. In 2014 he opened Vickers RC Sailing in Beach Haven, Auckland, and went on to produce hundreds of hand-crafted IOM hulls across the V8, V9, V10, V11 and V12 design range. The V12 — his most recent design — finished 2nd and 3rd at the 2024 World Championships in Gladstone, Australia. Respected peers in the IOM community described the V12 as an all-around boat — forgiving, fast, and brilliantly engineered. His generosity with design knowledge and set-up guidance helped sailors of all levels find more pace and more joy in the sport.

The RC sailing community has lost not just a champion, but a craftsman, a mentor, and a friend. His boats will sail on ponds around the world long after us, and that is a legacy few sailors of any kind can claim.

Our deepest condolences go to Ian’s family and to all who had the privilege of sharing the pontoon with him.

Flat water and fair winds, Ian.