Vale Gordon Ketelbey

The Board of Directors and Flag Officers write to you today to share the sad news of the passing of long-time Middle Harbour Yacht Club member, Gordon Ketelbey.

Senior club member and Gordon's long-time sailing friend, Julie Hodder, has written a fitting tribute to honour Gordon and his immense contributions, which extend far beyond our club to the broader Australian community and the international sailing scene. On behalf of the Board and the Flag Officers, we wish to share her words directly with you and extend our sincere thanks to Julie for taking the time to pen this piece.

Arriving in Australia from South Africa in the 1980s, Gordon immediately embraced his new life. He started a family with his wife, Kim, and founded an electrical company that grew into a substantial business across Australasia.

His first great sailing adventure began when he departed South Africa, sailing halfway around the world aboard a 39-foot ferro-cement yacht.

After settling in Australia, Gordon quickly became an integral part of yacht racing at Middle Harbour Yacht Club. Over the years, he owned and skippered many successful yachts, including Jack Guy, Wadadli, and, in Asia, Fujin and the Farr 40 Ramrod. His true passion was one-design racing, which he always described as "real racing."

In recent years, his boats proudly carried the name Zen, making them instantly recognisable on the racecourse. His first Zen was a Sydney 38, and at the time of his passing, he owned both a Farr 40 and a TP52.

Gordon became one of Australia's most accomplished and prolific offshore racing skippers, competing extensively throughout Australia, Asia, the United States, and Europe. Among his many accolades, he won the NSW IRC Championship three times, was named the CYCA Ocean Racing Veteran of the Year in 2020 and claimed the MHYC Tig Thomas Yacht Racing Championship trophy on three occasions.

Internationally, Gordon enjoyed considerable success. He won numerous regattas across Asia and competed in three Farr 40 World Championships, securing two second place finishes in the Corinthian Division.

In 2025, Gordon and his TP52 Zen joined forces with Sean Langman's Back to Black to represent Australia and the CYCA at the prestigious Admiral's Cup. Gordon finished second in the AC1 Division, helping the Australian team achieve a highly creditable fifth place overall from a field of 15 teams.

Following the Admiral's Cup, his outstanding international campaign continued; he finished second in IRC 0 at Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez, just three points behind Vesper. The team then competed in the Rolex Middle Sea Race, finishing sixth overall under IRC.

While Gordon's sailing achievements were exceptional, they tell only part of his story. He was a skipper who built loyal, fun, and highly competitive teams, consistently creating opportunities for novice sailors to develop their skills offshore. He mentored countless young sailors, giving them the confidence and experience to progress in the sport. Many sailors today owe the start of their ocean racing careers to Gordon's generosity and encouragement.

During his 37 years at Middle Harbour Yacht Club, Gordon contributed enormously through both his time and financial support. He was always among the first to volunteer, served on the Sailing Committee for many years, and was never afraid to roll up his sleeves and assist wherever needed.

Whenever the Club needed support, Gordon was there. Most recently, when MHYC urgently required a new start boat, Gordon quietly stepped forward to make it happen. True to his humble character, he did not want the vessel named after himself. Instead, his friend Shane Guanaria suggested the name Legacy, a fitting tribute, because that is exactly what Gordon leaves behind: a legacy of generosity, sportsmanship, mentorship, and friendship that will endure for generations.

Middle Harbour Yacht Club extends its deepest condolences to Gordon's family and his many friends and sailing colleagues. We are immensely grateful for the privilege of having sailed with him, learned from him, and shared in his remarkable journey.

Fair winds and following seas, Gordon. You will be greatly missed.