William Exshaw’s yacht Olle was the winner of both races in the 2-3 ton class at the 1900 Olympics. In Race I, Olle actually finished second to the French entry Favorite, but was declared the winner on adjusted time. In Race II, though, Olle finished ahead of Favorite to take the line honors. Exshaw lived at Arcachon in the Bordeaux region of France, where he looked after the interests of the family firm of brandy producers. He was a prominent figure in local society and was Master of Arcachon otter hounds from 1888 to 1903.
A British citizen in 1900, who had extensive roots in France, Exshaw maintained regular contact with Britain, keeping an estate at Glen Cannich in Inverness and serving for a time as a lieutenant in the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment. He added to his already considerable fortune when he married the daughter of Sir Sanford Fleming, one of the pioneers of the Canadian Pacific Railway. He died aboard the Elmina, one of the many yachts he owned, when cruising in the Mediterranean.
France
Great Britain