Tributes are flowing today for triple America’s Cup skipper, dual Australian Olympian and winemaker, Sir James Hardy, who has died peacefully at the age of 90.
Sir James was a Sydney Swans ambassador, and together with wife Lady Joan, were much loved by all at the club.
In addition to his well-known connections to wine and sailing, Sir James loved AFL. He became president of the Sydney Football League in 1982 and later that same year became a director of the Sydney Swans.
Sydney Swans chairman Andrew Pridham has paid tribute to Sir James.
"Sir James' contribution to the Sydney Swans in the early days was profound, and he and Lady Joan remained loyal supporters," Pridham said.
"An absolute gentleman, he made whomever was around him feel welcomed. My thoughts are with Lady Joan and his family."
Former Sydney Swans chairman Richard Colless said he has fond memories of a "humble" man.
“I got to know Sir James and Lady Joan in the early 90’s and his nickname of Gentleman Jim couldn’t be more apt. He was always exceedingly humble and had a great generosity of spirit,” he said.
Sydney Swans Patron Basil Sellers said Sir James will be missed by all who knew him.
“Sir James was a good friend of mine, and I am really sad to hear of him passing away. He was a great supporter of AFL football and played for his college at full back with great distinction.
“For those of us who knew him I am sure they would agree he was a wonderful host and raconteur. We will all miss Gentleman Jim.”
Sydney Swans CEO Tom Harley echoed the sentiment.
“Sir James was a great friend of the club having served as a director on our board in the early days of the Sydney Swans,” Harley said.
“He always kept a keen eye on the team, especially the South Australian players. My thoughts go out to his family, in particular Lady Joan. They are a beautiful couple.”
An avid competitive sailor, Sir James competed in consecutive Olympic Games, Tokyo in 1964 and Mexico City in 1968.
But it was his leadership in Australia’s tilt at the America Cup that Sir James was perhaps best known for. He skippered challenges in 1970, 1974 and 1980, and was part of the crew that led Australia II to victory in 1983, ending the 132-year US dominance of the race.
Sir James was later inducted into the America’s Cup Hall of Fame.
Widely known as "Gentleman Jim", he was made an OBE in 1975 and knighted in 1981 for services to yachting and the community.
Outside of sailing, Sir James served as chairman his family’s wine company, one of Australia’s most well-known wine brands, Hardys. He started working for Hardys in 1953 in a variety of roles, with the company releasing a sparkling wine range in his honour in the late 1980s.
The Sydney Swans extend the club’s deepest condolences to his wife Lady Joan, his sons David and Richard, his family and friends.