Tom Blackaller, Three-Time Sailor in America’s Cup Trials, Dies at 52
Tom Blackaller, a three-time America’s Cup competitor, died Thursday while practicing for Sunday’s sports car race at Sears Point International Raceway.
Blackaller, 52, pulled his Sports 2000 race car off the track near Turn 7, apparently in full cardiac arrest.
He was treated by paramedics and taken via helicopter to Queen of the Valley Hospital in Napa. Efforts to revive him were unsuccessful, and he was pronounced dead at 12:30 p.m.
In 1987, Blackaller’s revolutionary twin-rudder, 12-meter yacht, USA, was eliminated in the defender finals by Dennis Conner’s Stars and Stripes in Australia.
In 1983, Blackaller was the skipper of Defender, eliminated in the U.S. trials off Newport, R.I. He was the tactician on Clipper in 1980, skippered by Russell Long, also eliminated in the U.S. trials.
Blackaller is survived by his wife Christine, and two daughters, Brooke and Lisa, from a previous marriage.
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