Bruce Dalling (69), who won the 1968 transatlantic single-handed yacht race on handicap, died on his Howick farm on July 7.
He lived an adventurous life. After matriculating at St John’s College in Johannesburg he went to sea and then joined the Hong Kong police.
While there he took up yachting and competed in major races, including the Sydney to Hobart race. Returning to South Africa, he was a crew member of the South African yacht Stormvogel.
He studied for an agricultural degree at the then University of Natal and became a lecturer in agriculture.
Dalling then studied law and became an advocate, practising mainly in Pietermaritzburg and Durban.
He started farming but still served as an assessor in high court cases. Dalling was also a skydiver and owned a four-seater aircraft.
He leaves his wife, Carol; a son, William, a veterinarian who practises in Namibia; and two daughters. Daughter Kerry is married to Judge Piet Koen, of Pietermaritzburg. — Sapa