Michael McIntyre

Michael Mackay "Mike" McIntyre was born on the 29th June 1956. His family moved to Helensburgh when he was 10 and he attended Hermitage Academy. During his youth he became a very talented sportsman, becoming a Scottish Schools swimming champion at 12, and it was during this period he developed a love of the sea and became an extremely talented yachtsman.

After over six years of training, he sailed a Finn class dinghy at the 1994 Los Angeles Olympic Games and was considered a real medal hope for Britain as he was reigning European champion in the class. Mike finished 7th.

He would make amends for finishing outside the medal positions, some 4 years later at the 1998 Seoul Olympics. Partnering Philip Bryn Vaile in the Star Class, Mike went on to win Gold for Team GB. The pair had a solid start and won the second race of the regatta, and finished fourth on day three, but on day Five Vaile hit his head shortly before the race and needed stitches to continue.

They went ahead with the race and finished 14th. A seventh place in race six left them fourth and needing to win the final race for victory and hoping that their American rivals Mark Reynolds and Hal Haenel finished worse than sixth . In the event the USA boat did not finish after mast damage and the British boat won gold by 11 seconds, with a total of 45.7 points.

Mike now lives at Hayling Island, Hampshire where he is an active member of the local Sailing Club, but he still remains the Honorary Commodore of Helensburgh Sailing Club and still sails under its burgee.

Unsurprisingly, given his pedigree, Mike has served as Chairman of the Royal Yachting Association’s Olympic steering group.

Image Copyright by Helensburgh Heritage Trust