Andre Nelis, helmsman on Twilight (Swan46) in 2008, passed away December 8th.

Andre enjoyed a very successful career in dinghy sailing and was twice world champion in the Finn class in 1956 and 1961. In the Melbourne (1956) and Rome (1960) Olympic games, Andre won respectively a silver and bronze medal. Tokyo were the last Olympic games in which he participated and ended 10th. After having sailed the Flying Dutchman and Soling, Andre moved on to keel boats. In 1967, he won the Quarter Cup and won numerous ocean races and national championships. In 1973, Andre became the founder of the 1st North Sails loft in Europe but this did not stop him to helm on board of friends and customers boats. Andre helmed Twilight with great success in the 2008 Swan Cup. We will always remember Andre as an outstanding sailor and good friend.

Michael Huyghe