John Ripard

A lifelong lover of the sea, John Ripard made his major international début in sailing at the 1955 Mediterranean Games, where he competed in the Snipe Class. At the 1960 Rome Olympics five years later, he took part in the Star Class tournament alongside his brother Paul, but placed 25th and second-last, ahead of only the Japanese crew. John twice won the Rolex Middle Sea Race, in 1968 and 1970.

Ripard later became accredited as an international referee and served in that capacity at four editions of the America’s Cup (1987, 1988, 1992, and 1995), as well as the 1996 Summer Olympics. He also had a stint as President of the Royal Malta Yacht Club. By career he was in management and served as chairman of the family business, John Ripard & Son (Shipping) Limited, which was founded in 1901.