Mourners bid farewell to sailor

Gold medal winning sailors Sir Ben Ainslie, Iain Percy and Paul Goodison were among the pall bearers at Andrew 'Bart' Simpson's funeral
1 June 2013

Hundreds of mourners have packed Sherborne Abbey to pay their respects to Olympic sailing gold medallist Andrew 'Bart' Simpson.

Friends, family and sporting greats from around the world filled the 700 seats in the historic abbey, in Simpson's hometown of Sherborne in Dorset. Members of the public also lined the streets of Sherborne, which were dressed with red, white and blue bunting in honour of the father-of-two.

The emotional service, which lasted just over an hour, featured readings by Sir Ben Ainslie CBE and Simpson's best friend and sailing partner, Iain Percy OBE.

Simpson, 36, was killed while training for the America's Cup in San Francisco Bay on May 9, after he became trapped under his AC72 catamaran.

The father-of-two, who lived in Sherborne with wife Leah and young sons Hamish and Freddie, won gold alongside Percy at the Beijing 2008 Games and silver at the London 2012 Olympics in the Star discipline.

His Union flag draped coffin was carried into the abbey by sailing heroes Sir Ben, Percy, Nick Harrison, Chris Brittle, Paul Goodison MBE and Anthony Nossiter. Sir Ben, James Donaldson and Miles Bradbury all gave readings during the service.

Speaking before, Sir Ben, a long-term friend, described Simpson as "a devoted husband, adored father, son, brother and friend". He said: "The fact that so many people have come here from all over the world speaks volumes of the kind of person Bart was. He always had a smile on his face and that is the way we will all remember him."

Percy, who was also Simpson's best man, gave a tearful tribute and said he needed his partner "more than ever". He told the service: "No words will ever do him justice... He was an example to all of us that met him and for the next generation too. I know no man who was loved more than Bart."

Simpson's coffin left the Abbey to an arrangement of Sailing by Gavin Sutherland. Crowds who had gathered outside to listen to the service on loudspeakers watched as it was driven away. There was a private burial after the funeral, before mourners gathered at Sherborne Castle for a celebration of Simpson's life.

Simpson's wife, Leah, said: "Andrew was a wonderful person. He was a loving husband and a devoted father to our two boys. I am so pleased that so many of his friends and family are here today to celebrate his life and achievements. He will be forever in our thoughts and hearts."

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