It is with great sadness that we report Life Member Horst Kopp passed away on Saturday 20th June 2026 surrounded by his family members.
Our condolences to wife Priscilla, son Michael, daughter Peachy, son-in-law John, and grandchildren Alex, Harry, Paddy, and Cece.
Horst started sailing in 1963 when he built his first boat, a Cunningham designed Quickcat from a plywood kit. Horst also made his own stainless-steel fittings. Horst attended the first A Class Worlds at Sorrento during Cat Week 1966 as a visitor and noticed the A Class cats.
In 1968 Horst built his first Australis “Mr In Between” KA55 and took it to Darwin for 1968 Catamaran Week. The boat had a ply deck on it but seeing the mesh tramp on an imported Tornado, Horst decided this was the way to go, so arranged Flower and Adams sailmakers to make a mesh deck for his Australis.
Horst was President of the Australis Association in Victoria in the 70’s and won two Victorian Australis Championships. He was also a member and competed with the Open Australian A-Division Catamaran Association. In 1975 Horst was instrumental in revamping the Victorian A-Division Catamaran Association which had lost it’s way due to decreasing numbers.
Horst also served on the Association committee for many years (some as Vice President) in the 80’s and 90’s and helped to organise the 1987 and 1999 Worlds.
Horst was awarded Life Membership of AIADCA in 2009.
Unfortunately Horst’s sailing career came to an end when he suffered a stroke on the way to the 2021/22 Nationals. Up until that time he enjoyed competing against his son Michael, sailing regularly in club events and attending State, National and Worlds championships.
Sail On Horst! May you always have fair winds and calm seas.
