We are sad to announce the passing of Mike Taylor-Jones (Sidney Sussex, 1961). Mike was an active sailor at Cambridge and participated in the Irish tour of 1963
His son Will writes the following about Mike’s life:
Mike Taylor-Jones was a lifelong sailor and prior to going to Cambridge, fortunate to join Bill Tilman onboard his pilot cutter ‘Mischief’ on a 5-month voyage to Greenland.
Following this, Dad was introduced to both offshore racing and our mother Liz, via Peter Carter-Ruck and spent several seasons onboard the various ‘Fair Judgements’.
In the late 80’s dad took on ‘Deerstalker’ the diminutive S&S34 originally built by Joe Issacs. With a very loyal and primarily family-based crew onboard, over the next decade Deerstalker became increasingly competitive in both RORC and EAORA programmes – highlights including:
- 1989 North Sea race – 1st overall
- 1990 Brent Walker – Brighton to Cadiz
- 1991 Fastnet 1st in class
- 1992 Round Britain and Ireland – 1st overall
- 1994 Round Ireland – 1st in class
- 1995 Fastnet 2nd overall (to Nicorette) and RORC season points winner
In 1997 Dad commissioned Stephen Jones to design a new boat to the Whitbread/Mount Gay 30 rule. We build the boat ourselves in a Suffolk barn and campaigned her effectively until 2001 including a good result in the 1999 Fastnet. Wildwood was a fabulous family/crew project and no doubt hugely satisfying for my father.
Mike stopped racing competitively some years ago but was very fortunate to enjoy a long and healthy retirement with Liz, that included many extensive cruises around northern Europe in various boats including taking their classic Robb yawl ‘Rampage’ to the North Cape.
Dad was a quietly intuitive sailor – a natural navigator/tactician, with the ability to surround himself with talented sailors. Offshore sailing clearly brought him immense pleasure, and I know he made many friends through his RORC and other connections.
He had a major positive effect on many people, was an exceptional father and will be hugely missed by friends and family.