The International Sailing Federation (ISAF) today announced that 61-year-old Lars Grande, an International Judge since 1994, has died at sea. Lars left Soly marina in Moss, Norway on 18 July, planing to sail solo in his Viknes 1030 to Travemuende,Germany, where he was to be one of the International Judges during Travemuende Week regatta.

The weather was stormy, but Lars was an experienced yachtsman. He suddenly fell overboard close to Hvaler Islands, Fredrikstad. The Coast Guard led a big rescue and search operation and family and friends started a search on their own boats. Official operations were called off on Friday 20 July, but relatives continued searching, and Lars’ body was found on Monday evening, floating close to where the accident had happened.

The Norweigan Sailing Association paid tribute to Lars as ”a tremendous resource. He was pleasant, kind, smiling and always reliable.’

Lars was Principal Race Officer at many international events, and worked on many International Juries. For the Athens Olympics he was rules consultant for the Norwegian Olympic Sailing Team.