It was with great sadness that we learned of the passing of Craig Kirkpatrick-Whitby in November 2024.
Craig was a larger-than-life character who retained a positive view of life. He had been battling throat cancer for a number of years, with significant health implications. He was known amongst the Finn fleet as GBR 64, but he was also an investment banker, a data scientist, an art lover, an ex-boxer, photographer and a creative and curious musician who was the creator of an electronic instrumental built on 30,000 data points from the Chimet weather beacon in Chichester Harbour.
Based on the South Coast and latterly from Hayling Island Sailing Club, Craig kept his Finn in a pristine condition with a large quiver of sails and an exceptionally stiff mast. He sailed as a member at several Finn clubs including Warsash, Mengeham, Bosham and Hayling Island. He enjoyed the camaraderie at national and international events. Craig’s stature meant he was more in tune with the stronger winds than in the light stuff.
His sailing had to stop altogether when throat cancer took over. I recall him quipping with me as we talked outside my garage in 2022 that he can still walk, can drive his car, had a good brain, but is vocally disabled, and the hole in his throat means he cannot go sailing any more for fear of falling in the water and filling up.
Craig’s passion for music took over and provided him with a focus whilst he went through the cancer treatment. The album he created ‘Chimet’ was widely praised for its innovation and concept and he was extremely proud of his creation. Winning the Drowned In Sound’s Neptune Prize in 2024 was an enduring achievement for him. A musical legacy that brought together his passion for sailing and the weather with his music. Here is a link to his legacy https://mining.bandcamp.com/album/chimet?ref=drownedinsound.org
Sail on Craig, may the weather always play your tune.
Martin Hughes
