Maltese Olympian And Shipping Pioneer John Ripard Sr Dies Aged 96

Maltese shipping entrepreneur, sailor and former Olympian John Ripard Sr has died at the age of 96.

The news was announced by the Royal Malta Yacht Club, where Ripard served as Honorary President.

“A visionary sailor, an Olympian, and one of the founding figures of the Rolex Middle Sea Race, John has left an indelible mark on Malta’s maritime heritage,” the club said in a tribute.

“His passion for the sea, his leadership, and his generous spirit inspired generations of sailors to take to the water.”

Ripard was Chairman of John Ripard & Son (Shipping) Ltd, one of Malta’s oldest shipping companies. He was the grandson of the company’s founder and played a key role in modernising Malta’s maritime industry, including introducing containerisation to the country.

Beyond shipping, he was one of the founding figures of the Rolex Middle Sea Race and won the inaugural edition in 1968.

Together with his brother Paul Ripard, he represented Malta in sailing at the 1960 Summer Olympics before later serving as an international sailing judge, including at the 1996 Summer Olympics.

The Royal Malta Yacht Club thanked Ripard for his decades of service and contribution to sailing in Malta, saying his legacy would continue to inspire future generations.

Our thoughts are with John Ripard Sr’s family, friends and loved ones at this difficult time.

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Ali Demirci

Ali is a Social Media Executive at Lovin Malta, covering arts, current affairs, and youth stories. With a background in International Relations and performing, he focuses on clear, engaging content that connects with people.

Email: [email protected] | Insta: @ali_kanay_demirci