Greatest sailors of 21st C or 20th from 1960 onwards

Wansworth said:
His oks Cruising under sail is a joy of a book…….He was to my mind the man who inspired the start of long distance cruising
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From memory my 2 books of the Hiscocks’s are cruising under sail and voyaging under sail….. I have them somewhere…. But not to hand. Hardback great photos. Adventurous couple. Inspiring.
 
OCuea said:
From memory my 2 books of the Hiscocks’s are cruising under sail and voyaging under sail….. I have them somewhere…. But not to hand. Hardback great photos. Adventurous couple. Inspiring.
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Yes his illustrated books were exceptional considering many of the photos were processed aboard Wanderer
 
Wansworth said:
He also made small films of his and his wife’s voyages…..forerunner of all theseyoutubers creating content on the ocean wave!
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Like the footballers of the 1960’s I bet he didn’t get the money from the films that the millennials do today from their videos.
 
Wansworth said:
Vito Dumas
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What a person ….. how many others have not heard of him?
Vito Dumas - Wikipedia

Just remembered doctor Lewis ….. forget first name…… wrote a few books …… Icebird was one I think ….., sailed around Antarctic a bit like Dumas …… no heating !!!! He smelled when he landed to affect repairs . He was a doctor before an adventurer ….. can’t remember year , possibly 60’s
 
Sticky Fingers said:
Francis Chichester.
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Francis Chichester was my hero as a child. I followed his round the world trip. When he entered the Thames heading for London to be knighted, our family was the only yacht to greet him the night before when he anchored off Minster on the Isle of Sheppy. Later that year my parents were invited to a launching of a boat at Essex Marina. I was so excited that I might meet him. I went prepared with my first day cover for him to sign. Just before he left my father and I spoke to him. I asked if he could sign my first day cover, but his reply shocked us. "Well lad, if you sent it in to the Daily Mail with 5 shillings I will." He went from hero to zero in seconds.

By comparison Ted Turner was very friendly when I saw him on his Admirals Cup yacht whilst moored in Camper and Nicholson marina in Gosport. I therefore would like to add Ted Turner as a top flight racing sailor.

Dennis Conner and John Bertrand, both were 12 Metre sailors. Dennis won the America's Cup 3 times and then famously lost it to John Bertrand in Australia II.
 
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I think Roger Taylor in Ming Ming (and Ming Ming II) is worth a mention here. Regular solo trips up towards the Arctic Circle in boats he fitted out himself on a shoestring, turning two cheap little cruisers into extraordinarily seaworthy ocean voyagers, just for the personal pleasure and satisfaction of it, with no fuss or drama, no sponsors, no Patreon.
 
Lots of sailors undertake activities that require great acts which will never be noticed or recognized. Two that stand out for me:-

Helen Lucas has sailed at the top of her sport and won gold for the UK. About | Helena Lucas.
Hanna Stodel, another who has sailed at the top of the sport. Hannah Stodel - Wikipedia

Both these ladies not only did the work to developed and hone their skills, but also challenged established male dominance in their class.
 
Thinking back to those who inspired me and indeed offered the most valuable insight into a sound mindset and approach to offshore sailing, so many were ex forces.. self reliance and modesty seemed to feature, stoicism without fatalism.
 
The suggestions so far are short on sailors from the ranks of the best one-design racers.

Ben Ainsley is listed, but I'm not sure I saw many others.
 
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