During Race 3 of the Fall Series, after a flying spinnaker run where Inati saw speeds of 6.5 to 7 knots, one of the Inati’s crew altered course. Instead of heading for the windward mark, Randy McKown set a course for Fiddler’s Green. Randy had crewed on the Inati for the past five years and was incredibly reliable. Randy took care of the mast duties, assisted the foredeck, and ground winches with the best of them. He had just finished taking the spinnaker down and shoving it below and without being asked was headed up to the mast, when he fell victim to a sudden cardiac event. Randy was always there to pitch in and could be counted on to do more that his share, be it boat sailing, cleanup or helping to transfer the boat to and from the Southern Sound Races. He even put up with my cooking.
Randy’s wife, Melinda, took comfort that Randy died doing something he truly enjoyed. Randy was first and always a family man and he was very proud of his three sons. The family all loved the water and enjoyed sailing in front of their home on Eld Inlet and water skiing.
Randy, we will miss you.
Rick Bergholz, Inati