Star Class Honoring the Past, Leading the Future
Remembering Doug Knight
Doug Knight, World Champion Star crew, passed away on February 1. Doug’s partnership racing Stars with my father, Bill Buchan spanned 20 years that included numerous top finishes at the Worlds and 3 Olympic campaigns, beginning with winning the Gold Star in 1961 at San Diego where Doug’s competitive spirit and athletic gifts were key to putting them over the top, finally culminating with a second place finish at Marstrand in the 1979 Worlds and first place at the pre-Olympic regatta at Tallinn.
Following Doug’s Star career, he continued to race and explore the waters of the Pacific Northwest with Bill on other boats. He also was able to enjoy spending more time pursuing his other outdoor passion, mountain climbing and hiking, particularly in the Olympic Mountains near his home.
Doug is survived by his wife of 70 years, Sallie, his companion at numerous Star regattas in the US and Europe, and by his loving children and grandchildren.
One of my favorite memories of Doug is from when I was 14 years old. I had sailed a few Star races with him that summer, maybe giving him some time in the boat before he sailed the Worlds later that year with Ding Schoonmaker. We caught an early shift and jumped out to a lead over my Dad. I made some sort of lame comment to Doug, who turned to me and said, “never underestimate your Dad”. Needless to say, the wind shifted back and my Dad passed us before we got near weather mark.
Fair winds, Doug
