Dorsey Ownings who sailed his J30 Sea Biscuit in a number of J30 NA's, passed away today after being ill for several months. I will pass along any information as to services and donations.

Larry Christy

That's sad news. Dorsey, Gail, Willy, and the entire Sea Biscuit team were always intensely competitive and great to sail against.

Dorsey Owings was a good man, a pleasure to know, fun to race with or against. Truly salt of the earth. He skippered his J/30 in twelve North Americans finishing in the top ten every year from 1994 to 2003. Sea Biscuit was second three times and won the championship twice in 1997 and 2000, both sailed on Narragansett Bay. Condolences to Gail and all who sailed with him on Sea Biscuit. Dorsey will be missed by all who knew him.

Here is a photo of Dorsey. Please send more photos to dave@j30.us.



Some history of Dorsey sailing in NAs.

http://j30.us/blog/?page_id=133

Godspeed

As John might be able to tell, the photo was taken at the NAs in Bridgeport, 1995.

It's a great loss for the J/30 Class to loose such a great person and hearty competitor. I only met Dorsey when he won the 2000 NAs in Barrington. My condolences to the family.

I'm deeply saddened to hear of Dorsey's passing. He was a true gentleman who loved to race hard, but also maintained a great attitude. Although he had moved from the J/30 to the Mumm 30, he will be missed by many Chesapeake sailors. My condolences go out to Gail and his family.

Fare thee well, sailor...

Yes Dennis, That's a picture of Dorsey Gail and Will at the '95 NAs at Fayerweather Yacht club in '95. The '95 NAs was the first time I met Dorsey and Gail. They were great competitors, but even better friends. Dorsey will be missed. Heart felt condolences to Gail and family. That includes the family of sailors that had the pleasure to cross tacks with Dorsey.

John McArthur

A terrible loss-and a great guy. My favorite Dorsey encounter was during a race at the 2000 NA's in Barrington. We had led the entire race going into the last leg-our first time in that position after several years in the fleet-and Dorsey and his crew got around the last weather mark just ahead of us. We hooked him inside on the rounding, so we proceeded down the final leg parallel and bow to bow on port jibe. The entire way down the leg we traded leads, and Dorsey and Gail cheered us on enthusiastically (without giving an inch) . Unfortunately for us, a massive weather system rolled across the course within a few boatlengths of the finish, heading us both about 30 degrees and giving Sea Biscuit (another) race and championship win . Luck was with him then-I only wish the same luck had been with him this time.

My sincere condolences go out to Gail and all who knew Dorsey-he was a great guy, taken far too soon. He will be missed.