Mike Birch (1 November 1931 – 26 October 2022) was a Canadian navigator.[1]
Mike Birch | |
|---|---|
 Birch in the cockpit of the Olympus Photo | |
| Born | 1 November 1931 Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada |
| Died | 26 October 2022 (aged 90) Brech, France |
| Nationality | French |
| Occupation | Navigator |
Biography edit
Birch began sailing later in his life, but gained notoriety in the 1976 OSTAR where he came in second on a 30' trimaran "The Third Turtle" beating the 236' "CLUB MEDITERRANEE". He continued his surprising success as a solo sailor in the inaugural Route du Rhum in 1978. His sailboat, the Olympus Photo, a 12-meter trimaran, caught up with the larger Kriter V of Michel Malinovsky late in the race.[2]
Birch's victory at the Route du Rhum would begin the reign of the multihull, particularly following the death of Alain Colas. Birch continued a long career racing offshore,[3] completing his final race at the Transat Jacques Vabre in 2007, where he finished in 16th place.[4]
Birch died in Brech, France on 26 October 2022, at the age of 90.[5]
References edit
- ^ Eliès, Philippe (26 October 2022). "Premier vainqueur de la Route du Rhum, Mike Birch est mort". Le Télégramme (in French). Retrieved 26 October 2022.
- ^ "Route du Rhum : arrivée Birch et Malinovsky". Institut national de l'audiovisuel (in French). 8 December 1978. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
- ^ Torterat, Chloé (26 October 2022). "Portrait de navigateur - Mike Birch, vainqueur de la 1re édition de la Route du Rhum". Bateaux.com (in French). Retrieved 26 October 2022.
- ^ "Calendrier et résultats Transat Jacques-Vabre 2007, Voile, Monocoques (60 pieds, classe IMOCA) mixte". L'Équipe (in French).
- ^ "Mike Birch, premier vainqueur de la Route du Rhum, est mort". L'Équipe (in French). 26 October 2022. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
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