Photo: B Stichelbout / Ecover
A great supporter of sailing, and an honorary member of the Royal Southampton, Jorgen Philip-Sorensen CBE, has died in Switzerland.
He was made an honorary member of the Club in 2007.
Originally from Sweden, he was the inspiration behind Mike Golding’s successes and campaigns in international racing and round the world sailing.
His involvement in sailing sponsorship went back nearly 20 years when he became involved with Sir Chay Blyth's British Steel Challenge in 1992 through his company, Group 4 which right from that time teamed up with Mike Golding.
Their partnership flourished over the years, more recently through the association with Ecover, the Belgian ecological products company which was also owned by Mr Philip-Sorensen.
Mike Golding writes: "It was with great sadness that we learned that our long time friend, supporter and owner of Mike Golding Yacht Racing Ltd, Mr. Jørgen Philip-Sørensen CBE passed away on Monday January 18, in Switzerland.
He died at the age of 71 after succumbing to a long battle with illness.
Philip’s support for sailing first began when he was introduced to ocean racing by Sir Chay Blyth CBE BEM as the sponsoring CEO of the Group 4 Securitas yacht in the British Steel Challenge in 1992/3. As the fortunate skipper of that yacht it was my honour and privilege to have worked with and alongside Philip since that time to create some of the most exciting and successful sailing campaigns in the UK over the last two decades.
When Ecover became our main title sponsor in 2001 his enthusiasm and belief in the value that sailing sponsorship delivered to his companies remained undiminished, and it was this continued commitment, which brought us to the construction of both Ecover 2 and 3. This ultimately led to us twice winning the IMOCA world championship 2004 & 2005 (the only British team to have achieved this accolade), and the FICO world championship in 2005/6.
An ebullient character, instantly recognisable on the dock and positively exploding with enthusiasm, his support of the last two decades has brought so many people together in the sport. People such as him are truly rare and Philip will be deeply missed by all who knew him. I for one count myself as lucky to have known him.
Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time."
Honorary membership of the Royal Southampton was bestowed on him in the autumn of 2007 by the Admiral, HRH Prince Michael of Kent, and then Commodore, Peter Whatley at the Commodore's dinner at Ocean Village. Mike Golding was a guest at the dinner.