Derek was a larger than life charachter - one instance I remember on the roof of The RYS while Brian Jones, Peter Bloomfield, Peter Butler, myself & 'the team' were commentating on The Cowes Races.
Derek & Jane arrived & set themselves up, sitting alongside us on the red & white roof, which of course is curved.
Anyway, an unfortunate incident involving a glass of red wine which I knocked over & which in turn ran down & stained Derek's whites, caused some alarm & initial anger !
Anyway, all was soon forgotten & Derek was his usual font of knowledge & geniality.
There was another instance of loosing the Needles Trophy Race for an Italian boat at Poole, by navigating the wrong side of the mark boat !
He 'escaped' by hiding in a house near the RMYC from itrate Italians !
I have heard from Rory Power, now working for Victory Team in The Gulf, of how Derek was a great help to him, & how he of course, being out there, cannot attend Dereks Funeral tomorrow at Mortlake Crematorium.
RIP Derek, we will remember you !
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