Erling

[Liam]

I am very sorry to have to inform you that Erling is no longer with us. He died yesterday evening at the hospice in Newport from lung cancer.

Few people can have done as much for the class as Erling. He built up a Sprint 15 fleet at Shanklin from zero boats to 44 and fiercely resisted the invasion of alien species. He was the events secretary for a number of years until he handed over to Chris and Jenny.

He attended just about every nationals, sport and unarig, in the time he had a Sprint 15 and won the heavyweight cup several times. His sailing record at Shanklin is extraordinary. He won cups in every decade from the 60s onwards and was still fit enough to win the Ventnor Race last year.

He was the most generous of friends. He lent me his car and trailer for trips to Grafham and Cornwall and would always lend a boat - especially if a team cup relied on it. He was on the first ferry to England to collect me when I ran out of wind in Kent.

He was the mortar that held Shanklin Sailing Club together and we shall miss him immensely.

[Ed Tuite Dalton]

I was very sad to learn this morning of the news that Erling had died yesterday evening. He was a larger than life character, both on and off the water, a great advocate for the Sprint 15 and a good friend. I am going to miss his comradeship, his competitiveness on the water, his sense of fair play and his great knowledge of all things Sprint 15.

[Gordon]

This is the very sad news that I didn’t want to hear.
Erling was one of the great supporters of the Sprint 15 class, he did so much work for the class over the years especially as our Events secretary and the way he always turned up for events, sometimes driving hundreds of miles and bringing along a band of fellow Shanklin sailors who seemed to live out of his car. He had that enthusiasm that enthused others.

I know he was hugely inspirational at Shanklin and how he managed to build the class there was incredible and I know they will all miss him.

It was always a pleasure to sail with Erling and just as enjoyable to socialise with him afterwards.
I will miss him a lot, an all round great bloke.

Gordon

[Steve Willis]

Words fail us. What a loss to the fraternity and his family.

RIP

Steve & Joan

[Keith Bartlett]

What sad , sad news. I don't think that right now I can really find the words to express my emotions on hearing this news.

He was larger than life, and always fiercely competitive on the water. But at the same time friendly and so welcoming to new helms in the class.

Keith Bartlett FREDDIE1962

[Martin Searle]

A sad day for us all. Erling was a true stalwart of the fleet. My deepest condolences to his family and friends.

One of my favourite memories is Erling and myself trying to get the results entered into the website during the first night of the Pentewan nationals in 2009 in the middle of the village square. I was 'borrowing' wifi from anyone with an open WIFI router until they got wise and rebooted it we got some very odd looks by people passing by

Martin S.
(ex webmaster of Sprint15.com)

[Bob Carter]

Sad news indeed.
He was great company and a much valued friend.
He will be sorely missed.
Bob and Ange Carter

[DARTPOTT]

Erling went out of his way to make me welcome as a newcomer to the association and I can remember some great jousts with him on the water where, as on land, he was always the perfect gentleman. I had wondered why he hadn't been to Grafham for a while, such a sad loss of a lovely human being who could brighten up any cloudy day.
I'll always remember him going round the boat park, the first evening of the 2008 Thorpe Bay Nationals, measuring and adjusting team Shanklin mast rakes. Seeing me at my boat (then 1988) he politely asked if I would like mine measured. He was astounded how far back my mast was suggesting that I let it up a couple of plate holes before moving on to the next candidate......but as I had been sailing well at Grafham I left it unchanged. The next day I scored fairly well and at the bar that evening he noted my performance and the clear effect of adjusting my mast. I thanked him profusely and bought him a beer, I just couldn't tell the truth to such a nice guy!

[Corky the Cat]

Erling Holmberg will always be remembered as one of the great charismatic personalities of the class. Always approachable and just a decent sort of fellow. He was competitive but gentlemanly with it. He was always happy to give advice to newcomers and tail enders. You couldn't help liking the fellow.

He manned the Sprint stand at the boat show, year after year. He was an engaging fellow and many must have warmed to the spirit that he embodied.

Farewell Erling. We loved you.

[Charles]

A sad day for the fleet and his friends.

So often there to greet you at an event with a smile and a witty jibe, even though he had started earlier & travelled further than you. How did he manage to get his boat off the roof & be rigged before any one else? The White Rigging Wizard of Shanklin?

I remember getting up to Halifax Sailing Club early on Saturday morning to open up and he was waiting at the gate! As it was mid-season he had only brought his wetsuit, not allowing for the 3 degrees further north and 1400 feet in altitude. He often reminded me of what a cold place I sailed at when we met, it certainly wasn't a place for his well worn flip flops.

A good sailor, a good man, RIP my friend.

[Brian Phipps]

Erling a treasure to the Sprint 15 class, your family and friends. On the water or off the water you always had a gift to share.
My fondest memory is knowing that every morning you would be walking your dog along the coast at Shanklin. In my heart you are still walking your dog.
Brian.

[Kev192]

sad news to hear about Erling. R.I.P thoughts are with his family and his sailing family he has left behind.
when i race his old boat #2007 next i will remember him as i do so.

and yes from car topped to fully rigged in under the hour when he delivered it to me.

[Paul Craft]

Very sad news, my thoughts are with his family and close friends at Shanklin.

He was a man that was always encouraging everyone, in his own style, both on and off the water.

A couple of photos to show his commitment in getting as many people as possible from Shanklin to events.

[Liam]

The funeral will be at the crematorium on the Island on the 30th April at 3pm. The crematorium is near the junction of the roads between East Cowes, Newport and Ryde.

[Steven Tunnacliffe]

I truly am lost for words one of the good guys RIP my friend