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Governor John P. de Jongh, Jr. offered his deepest condolences Wednesday to the family of Walter Fischer, former Commodore of the St. Thomas Yacht Club and a pioneering sailor in the Virgin Islands.
Fischer was a skilled seaman who helped put the Virgin Islands on the sailing world’s map as one of the founders of the Rolex Regatta. As Commodore of the St. Thomas Yacht Club, he worked to increase the territory’s prominence throughout the international sailing community. He had been active in the Yacht Club since the 1960s.
“While Walter was an accomplished competitive yacht racer, he found the greatest joy when he was sailing in Caribbean waters with family and friends. He embodied the spirit of sailing in the Virgin Islands, and imparted his passion onto a whole generation of Virgin Islands boat captains and sailors,” de Jongh said.
Fischer and a small group of sailing-enthusiasts founded the Rolex Regatta 39 years ago. The Regatta is now one of the premier events in international yacht racing, and a source of pride for the Virgin Islands.
Fischer passed away Monday evening at a New York hospital after a long battle with cancer.
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