Pat Healy, an International Judge, long-time judge instructor, coach and sailing Hall of Fame inductee, died on May 17, 2025.Pat was an International Judge, a former International Umpire, and a US Sailing and Sail Canada Judge. He served at seven Olympic and Paralympic Games – four as a coach and three as a judge. He was a committed volunteer since the 1980s, for World Sailing as Chairman of the International Judge Sub Committee and an International Judge Instructor, for Canada and the USA teaching racing rules and judging, and for CORK/Sail Kingston. His history as a Finn sailor, a meteorologist, a coach, and a judge is long and storied.
Pat’s vocation was sailing. He helped to develop sailors as Head Coach then Director of Intercollegiate Sailing at the U.S. Naval Academy and as Canadian National Sailing Coach. He was the Regatta Director for the Challenger of Record Committee America’s Cup XXIV.
Pat was inducted in the Canadian Sailing Hall of Fame and in the US Intercollegiate Sailing Hall of Fame with the Campbell Family Award for Lifetime Service.
Pat’s rules knowledge and training expertise were sought by many. His insights shaped the understanding of the racing rules of all who worked with him. His clear understanding of the rules and his kind, humorous and spirited manner enlightened and entertained us all as he urged us to get better. His knowledge and humor were on display at a recent US Sailing Judge Roundtable called “An Evening with Pat Healy.” One judge colleague recalled that Pat often asked, “How can we make this better for the sailors?”