Aussie sailing and Olympics legend Sir James Hardy who was knighted by the Queen dies at 90

Triple America’s Cup skipper and two-time Australian Olympian James Hardy has passed away in Adelaide aged 90.

The well-known sailor, winegrower and community leader passed away peacefully on Thursday.

A member of the America’s Cup Hall of Fame, Hardy helped set the tone for Australia’s memorable and nation-building victory in the famous race.

He captained Australia’s America Cup challenges in 1970, 1974 and 1980 and was a key advisor to the iconic Australia II crew, led by John Bertrand, which ended the United States’ 132-year dominance in 1983 .

‘Actually I was back-up skipper for Bertrand; and he pinched a nerve in his neck and he was off the boat,” Hardy said in a 2021 interview.

“I think it was nine or ten races.”

Known as ‘Gentleman Jim’, he was made an OBE in 1975 and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1981 for services to the sport of hunting and the community.

He competed in consecutive Olympic Games, Tokyo 1964 and Mexico City 1968.

Hardy continued to sail competitively late into his life.

Outside of sailing, Hardy chaired the family business that produced some of the country’s most popular wine brands.

He started working for Hardys in 1953, filling a variety of roles, with the company releasing a range of sparkling wines in his honor in the late 1980s.

He served on many boards and councils, including the Landcare Foundation.

He is survived by his wife Joan, brother David, sister Pamela, and sons David and Richard.

A private funeral will be held in Adelaide with a memorial service to follow at a later date.