Sailors taking part in a major Broads race will today pay an emotional tribute to a former winner, tragically killed during preparations on the eve of the event.
Well-respected yachtsman Tom Gentle, who was due to take part in today's 40th Yare Navigation Race, was preparing to take his family's sailing cruiser Meggie to its start point at Coldham Hall, near Surlingham.
It is understood that while he was trying to lower the mast it fell on top of him and he died as a result of his injuries.
Emergency services went to the scene after being called shortly before 10am yesterday to Norfolk Broads Yacht Club's headquarters at The Avenue, Wroxham. But despite desperate attempts from paramedics, an air ambulance crew and the fire service, they were unable to save Mr Gentle, who was married and aged in his early 50s.
Now, on a day that should have been a celebration of skill and nerve, organisers of the race have paid tribute to its former winner, describing him as a 'respected sailor'.
Geoffrey Pinder, member of the Coldham Hall Sailing Club and officer of the day for today's race, said: 'He had been sailing here for several years. It's sad to see him gone.'
Usually the changing tide means racers are able to pick their own start time but Mr Pinder added that there would be no 12pm start today. Instead a tribute by his crew would be held at the river at Coldham Hall for anyone who wished to attend.
Alan Mallett, EDP sailing correspondent, said Mr Gentle would have been regarded as a 'potential front runner' for this year's race.
'Tom made his mark,' he said. 'He was a very personable man, easy to work with, a kind sailor, fair and dedicated.
'All the Broads sailing fraternity will be very sad indeed. He had some very good results which were thoroughly deserved and he will certainly be missed, particularly in the river cruiser class which is a very special community. He contributed a lot.'
Mr Gentle gave an impressive performance back in 2012, when he won that year's Yare Navigation Race. He started a full hour after the previous competitors and sped Meggie round the course in just under two hours 45 minutes.
Not only did he win the race but he also took trophies for the Moonraker (fastest passage) and Starlight Lady (boats over 28 ft length).
His success followed him into 2014, where he again picked-up the Moonraker trophy for the second time.
The Yare Navigation Race began in 1976 when Coldham Hall Sailing Club decided to reintroduce a passage race for river cruisers only, to be held on a Saturday in late September when low water on Breydon Water was at a reasonable time, between midday or early afternoon.
It rapidly became a popular cruiser race on the Norfolk Broads, taking the fleet from Coldham Hall, Brundall, down the River Yare to a mark on Breydon Water near Great Yarmouth and back - a total distance of between 30 to 34 miles, depending on the exact placement of the buoy on Breydon.
The EDP contacted the Norfolk Broads Yacht Club for a comment, but a spokesman said they did not want to make a statement at this time.
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