Rick Tomlinson
As the sailing world mourned the loss of renowned offshore navigator Mark Rudiger, the Volvo Ocean Race CEO Knut Frostad, remembers him as the perfect role model.
Frostad and Rudiger competed against each other in the Whitbread of 1997-98 when Rudiger navigated EF Language to victory and Frostad was aboard Innovation Kvaerner. Their paths crossed again in the 2001-02 Volvo with Frostad skippering djuice dragons while Rudiger was co-skipper of Assa Abloy.
Frostad remembers him as someone fellow sailors had huge respect for. “He really was the perfect role model for any other sailor especially the inexperienced guys,” he said.
“He kept a respectable relationship with everyone, even with his competitors. In such a competitive environment as the Volvo Ocean Race that’s not always easy to do but Mark managed it.
“What struck me most about him and what I learned most from him was to do with his personality. He was always a quite, humble, polite, respectable person but at the same time he was very successful particularly since he was in senior positions such as co-skipper on Assa Abloy.
“For me that was a very important factor in the race. It’s a very sad loss for the race. Our thoughts at race headquarters are with his close family and friends.”
Fellow navigator Stan Honey, a race winner aboard ABN AMRO ONE in the 2005-06 Volvo, was fulsome in his praise of Rudiger’s skills.
“I had the honour of competing with Mark in many events, and the pleasure of "re-sailing" those events in detailed discussions with Mark afterwards,” he said.
“I'll miss Mark, in particular his friendship, intelligence, openness, and willingness to help. I owe a great debt to Mark for sharing his insight and knowledge. The world will be a less interesting and more dreary place without Mark in it.”
Mark's wife Lori sent out the following message to the sailing community on the day he passed away.
‘Dear beloved sailing family, Thank you all for your good thoughts and well wishes. After a very tough battle, Mark chose to trade in his defective body for a beautiful new form and left us this afternoon.
‘At his son Zayle's suggestion, we are going to light candles tonight to remember him and his amazing life energy. If you can, please join us by lighting a candle for Mark. Mark and I were overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and healing energy from all of you around the world. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts, we love you all’ - Zayle and Lori Rudiger.