Jim Allsopp, renowned Annapolis sailor
James F. Allsopp, a renowned Annapolis-based sailor and engineer who competed around the world, died March 12 at age 72.
A statement about his stature within the sailing community came two weeks ago. Knowing Mr. Allsopp was nearing the end of a lengthy struggle with brain cancer, friends and family put together a tribute party at the Annapolis Yacht Club.
About 180 people from around the globe showed up at club's temporary home at the Harbor Grill restaurant to honor Mr. Allsopp, who operated the North Sails loft in Annapolis for more than two decades.
King Felipe VI of Spain praised Mr. Allsopp in a videotaped message played during the affair.
“It was an amazing affair, and so heartwarming to see how many people wanted to salute Jim,” said Dr. Pen Alexander, a longtime friend and the driving force behind the event.
“Jim was truly larger than life. He was a great sailor and an even greater person,” said Mike Toppa, a fellow North Sails professional and Mr. Allsopp's brother-in-law.
“He was extremely well-respected by everyone he sailed with because he was all about helping people through his knowledge and experience.”
Mr. Allsopp grew up on Long Island and learned to sail at a young age. He attended the University of Miami and gained prominence in sailboat racing circles by capturing the 1976 Star World Championship in Nassau, Bahamas.
He followed that victory by winning the Star European Championship that same year off Marstrand, Sweden.
Renowned racer Lowell North, a 1968 Olympic gold medalist, then asked Mr. Allsopp to serve as trimmer aboard his 12-meter Enterprise for the 1977 America's Cup Defender Series. Mr. North subsequently hired him to run the North Sails operation in the Annapolis area.
Mr. Allsopp, who graduated from college with degrees in chemistry and electrical engineering, came to this area to work for Westinghouse, and got into sailmaking with the old Murphy & Nye loft in Annapolis. North Sails-Chesapeake had its construction facility on Kent Island, but Mr. Allsopp opened a sales office in Eastport to provide customers easier access.
He competed in and survived the infamous 1979 Fastnet Race, in which five boats sank and 15 people died as a result of severe squalls and rough seas.
He brought an inexperienced crew home safely.
In the 1980s, Spain's fledgling boat program asked Mr. Allsopp to help them, and he served as regular helmsman or tactician for King Juan Carlos of Spain.
He was also involved with two other America's Cup campaigns, sailing aboard the Eagle in 1980 and Clipper in 1987.
His sons, James Allsopp, 27, and Cole Allsopp, 26, became sailors themselves, competing collegiately at the Naval Academy and College of Charleston, respectively.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. today at St. Anne's Episcopal Church, 199 Duke of Gloucester St, Annapolis.
In addition to his sons, Mr. Allsopp is survived by his wife of 30 years, Holley.
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