The election of Marcus Spillane – originally of Cork – to a Vice Presidency of World Sailing in November is the latest step in an extraordinary involvement in sailing which has seen him compete in many world championships – most notably in the International 49er – while at the same time playing key roles in global sailing administration.
He did much of the heavy lifting in making the Olympic International 49er Association the force it is today, serving as Class CEO for six years and then being President for eight. These were tasks he performed with such efficiency that when the Olympic NACRA 17 class came into being, he was persuaded to take on its Presidency for its first four formative years, while though now US-based, he maintained his close links with Ireland through being Treasurer to Irish Sailing's Olympic Steering Group. At a difficult time in its own development, World Sailing has recruited the administrative abilities of exceptional talent with a highly proven track record.
In the thick of it – Marcus Spillane and Rory Fitzpatrick racing a 49er in the Worlds
