Newport-Bermuda Veteran Dies At 90
Newport-Bermuda veteran Sumner [Huey] Long — who established a course record for the race — has died at the age of 90.
The international yachtsman, shipping executive, and winner of many of the world’s most challenging and dangerous ocean races, died of lymphoma on December 4.
Creating a succession of hi-tech racing sailboats named “Ondine”, and spanning the decades from the 1960s to the 1990s, Mr. Long won every major ocean race in the world, including Newsport-Bermuda, the Transatlantic Race on four occasions [a record], the Sydney-Hobart Race [establishing a course record], the Fastnet Race, and the Buenos Aires-Rio Race [also establishing a course record].
“Ondine II” was the first all-aluminum ocean racer ever built. A 57-foot yawl designed by Bill Tripp, she went on to win races against much larger opponents, sometimes due to clever innovations by Mr. Long.
One of these, an ultra-heavy spinnaker, almost caused a mutiny when in a 50-knot Atlantic gale, Mr. Long fought with his crew to get it raised, earning him the title of “a modern day Captain Bligh” by “Sports Illustrated”.
A subsequent yacht, “Ondine VII” was designed by German Frers. That yacht won the first Maxi Yacht World Championship in 1985, held at Newport, Rhode Island. In that event, “Ondine” VII” was victorious in the first on-the-water protest hearing ever held, a practice that is now standard in world-class match racing events.
Mr. Long helped boost the careers of many aspiring world-class skippers who crewed for him, including broadcasting magnate Ted Turner who went on to win the America’s Cup in 1977.
Mr. Long, the son of Lithuanian immigrants, was raised in Boston. He established one of the most successful tanker brokers in the world and among his clients and friends were Aristotle Onassis and many other prominent ship owners.
Mr. Long is survived by his second wife of 30 years, Suzanne McDonnell Long, his sons Harry and Jack Long, and Russell Long, from his first wife, Jane Bagley Lehman.
A memorial service will be held for Mr. Long at Kings Point Merchant Marine Academy, New York, at 2 p.m. on Saturday [Jan. 7]/
