‘True hero’ Sir James Hardy farewelled at touching state funeral

One of Australia’s greatest sailors has been hailed as a ‘true hero’ and a ‘humble overachiever’ as he was farewelled at a state funeral.

Sailing legend Sir James Hardy has been remembered as a “true hero of our age” at a touching state funeral in South Australia.

The man affectionately known as ‘Gentleman Jim’ died on June 14 at age 90 while surrounded by loved ones at an Adelaide hospital.

His son David explained his father earned his enduring nickname because “he valued decency and manners” despite being “a dedicated and aggressive competitor”.

“He had an effortless charm … and an ability to make people feel special,” he said proudly.

Sir James Hardy OBE was farewelled at a state funeral on June 23, 2023.

He will go down in history as one of the country’s greatest sailors.

Sir James is best known for being a member of the first sailing team to beat the US to win the America’s Cup in 1983.

His success at skippering the team into the history books even attracted praise from then-US President Richard Nixon.

“Australia can take great pride in your fine example of steadfastness and sportsmanship which have made a lasting impression on the American people,” the president wrote in a telegram to the legendary sailor after his country’s record loss.

He skippered three America’s Cup challenges and competed in four Admiral’s Cups, serving as a role model for many.

The “humble overachiever” spent decades winning “a sackful” of championships before he was selected to represent Australia at the Tokyo 1964 and Mexico City 1968 Olympic Games.

Mourners flocked to Memorial Hall at St Peter’s College to farewell Sir James. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Emma Brasier

“He was a true hero of our era,” his nephew Bill praised in his eulogy.

“A man who for more than half a century strode the world stage and brought renown and glory to Australia while at the same time engendering deep respect for Australians and from Australians.”

Sir James balanced his legendary sporting prowess with a successful career at his family’s wine business, Hardy’s Wines.

The industrious and dedicated family man started working at the company when he was 21 years old and continued until six months before his death.

The world champion yachtsman was remembered as the “quintessential good bloke” who had a boundless enthusiasm for life at the well-attended state funeral.

Sir James with the America's Cup trophy after the historic win for Australia.

He continued to sail into his old age.

“He was indisputably a people person who loved to yarn and share stories with friends and strangers from all walks of life,” Bill said with a smile.

Sir James’s widow Joan acknowledged how many lives her husband had touched over his 90 years.

Wearing a chic black suit adorned with a large pink flower, she wiped tears from her eyes and smiled as she paid tribute to “the love of (her) life”.

“I’ve treasured every moment we spent together,” she said.

“There’s no one I’d rather be with and one day we’ll be together again.”

Every seat was taken at the state funeral. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Emma Brasier

David Hardy said Sir James had made his peace with his passing and joked “he had so many candles on his (last birthday) cake that the fire brigade needed to stand by.”

“The last weeks I spent with him were some of the best in my life,” he said.

Every seat in St Peter’s College Memorial Hall was occupied by wellwishers hoping to say their final farewells to the legendary sailor, wine boss, and “true gentleman”.

Sir James’s casket was decorated with a large colourful arrangement of native flowers and escorted from the hall by seven loved ones.