Robin Allingham Aisher passed away on June 26, 2023. He was 89.

Together with his father Owen (a former president of the Int. 5.5 Metre Association from 1960-1963) he was a driving force in developing the Int. 5.5 Metre Class during its Olympic period. Many 5.5 Metres have been built for the Aisher family, and Robin was present in many international regattas, with outstanding results in the 1968 Olympics, the 1967 and 1966 World Championships.

He was the 5.5 Metre bronze medallist at the Mexico City 1968 Games with Adrian Jardine and Paul Anderson.

Robin Aisher was also part of the British Olympic team in 1960 and 1964, also in the 5.5 Metre. He was British team captain in 1976.

He was an outstanding yachtsman, representing Britain in many events including six times in the Admiral’s Cup. He won that event four times winning and was captain three times. He was named as Yachtsman of the Year in 1975. He was awarded an OBE in 1986.

Other accomplishments include being Commodore of RORC and Admiral of Island Sailing Club,  Chairman of Southern Region Sports Council,  Vice President of ISAF (now World Sailing),  Member/Chair of various RYA committees for 34 years,  Governor of the RNLI and Younger Brother of Trinity House.

In later years he still followed the 5.5 Metre class avidly and in 2019 wrote the Foreword to the 70th Anniversary Yearbook. 

The Int. 5.5 Metre Class Association send its deepest condolences to his family and friends.

Further reading at:

A recent interview with Robin, can be found here: https://ohlsonyachts.com/videos/ [Video Olympic Era]

Scuttlebutt: https://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/2023/06/30/eight-bells-robin-aisher/

Sail-World: https://www.sail-world.com/news/263698/Robin-Allingham-Aisher-OBE-%7C-1934-2023

The Independent: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-sir-owen-aisher-1508246.html