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Board » In memoriam » In Memoriam - Rob Neilson (Tyger)

Posted by
sol


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2008-08-14 11:08:14
2025-01-22 07:25:38 - In Memoriam - Rob Neilson (Tyger)
Vale TYGER who passed away on the 11th of January at around 00:00UTC (11am local time) in his Melbourne apartment while on the phone to emergency services.

As a rower and rugby player Robert Neilson was a natural as a grinder on a keelboat where sailing was in his blood.

In retirement the professional marketer with a perfect radio voice served as Sail Online's (SOL) Marketing Director from 2012 to 2021. In that role he spoke daily (24/7) with Commodores, CEOs and sailing administrators at yacht clubs around the world including NYYC, RHKYC, RMYS, ORCV and many many more.

I met Rob around 2011 in the lead up to the 2013 Melbourne to Osaka double-handed yacht race. Together we set up a virtual version of the race via SOL. Some of the competitors used SOL to help them prepare for the race ahead. SOL has run the virtual race every year since and will be available again for friends and family during this year's 2025 M2O race.

I am sure many of you have personal memories that no one else knows, so please share them here. I will also be sure to pass those on to his family.

David Taylor (dtayls)


--- Last Edited by bonknhoot at 2025-01-23 06:33:42 ---
Posted by
Adriano (Batatabh)


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2018-07-09 12:24:27
2025-01-30 11:20:25 - Re: In Memoriam - Rob Neilson (Tyger)
I'm so sorry about Rob's passing. Souls Like Rob, Bimmer and other angels that SOL had the pleaseure to have very close are rare. I can remember when I was invited to join SRC, as a non English speaker and a non real life sailor, Rob was always looking for help me with the new role. RIP Tyger!!!
Posted by
SCARABOCCHIO


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2012-02-05 16:24:16
2025-01-30 12:10:43 - Re: In Memoriam - Rob Neilson (Tyger)
Dear Rob,
we have never met in person but I can say that I've known you very well.
A deep friendship, born from many affinities and from the great shared passion for SOL.
I lost a friend on the other side of the world: I will miss you!
Fair Winds Rob.
Posted by
ITA210


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2025-01-31 09:52:06 - Re: In Memoriam - Rob Neilson (Tyger)
I met Tyger so many times in SOL that it feels really painful to write these lines. There are some SOLers who stands up from the fleet and Tyger was one of them. During races, ocean in particular, I always kept an eye on Tyger to see and learn about best routes. He had a fantastic touch and was always in the top positions.
I remember in a race I was lost in the middle of nowhere with the fleet far ahead. I spotted Tyger passing near by and I just had to follow his steps to get back in the fleet.
I heard something about health problems affecting Rob during the last Hobart2Sydney but it seemed everything was under control. Then during the Cape Horn to Olon Tyger went adrift and the terrible news came up.
Now I am blessed by having the honour to bring Tyger to the finish line together with SCARABOCCHIO, WRmirekd and Dingo.
Hey Rob, I hear you! You're laughting from up there seeing my poor performance in steering your boat. I'm sure you would do much better!

I only knew Tyger, never been so lucky to meet Rob in person.

Fair winds Rob/Tyger! I miss you
Posted by
Patrick70119


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2012-08-08 09:57:08
2025-01-31 16:13:12 - Re: In Memoriam - Rob Neilson (Tyger)
Robert was an incredible person and a pillar of the Sailonline community. When I joined Sailonline in 2012, he was always there to answer my questions, guiding me like a true mentor. His generosity with his time and knowledge was unmatched—whenever someone had a question, no matter the topic, Robert was always ready with insightful advice.

Behind the scenes, he played a huge role in making Sailonline what it is today, particularly with buddy-up races. He had such a gift for landing these races that it almost seemed like magic! His dedication and contributions will never be forgotten.

Though we never met in person, Robert's presence was so strong, his personality so warm and down-to-earth, that speaking with him in chat felt like you had met him in real life. I truly feel the loss of a dear friend.

Fair winds, Robert. You will be deeply missed, but your legacy will always sail on. Rest peacefully until we meet again.

My heartfelt condolences to Robert’s loved ones.
"Sometimes it is the people no one can imagine anything of who do the things no one can imagine." ~ Alan Turing
Posted by
antares


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2018-10-11 06:32:05
2025-02-02 01:42:05 - Re: In Memoriam - Rob Neilson (Tyger)
Even after his passing, from 600+nm in arrears, he looks assured of a finish in top 40.

I am sure he could not have asked for a better memorial!
Posted by
dikkehenk


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2012-02-24 15:03:37
2025-02-03 05:31:10 - Re: In Memoriam - Rob Neilson (Tyger)
miss you mate, always in for some fun, and very pleasant company to be around with.

Sure you will have fun up there & you finished before me, so please save a beer at the bar
Posted by
fastpassage39


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2009-10-29 05:45:46
2025-02-06 00:12:00 - Re: In Memoriam - Rob Neilson (Tyger)
If I remember correctly, in about 2013, shortly after Rob joined SOL, he became an active participant and helped us design and choose races - especially with real active 'buddy-up' races around the world. It takes a lot of time and passion to contact and sell the idea of partnering SOL with different sailing clubs -- all for the benefit of making the experience much better for all of us.

One time when he heard I was headed to Australia, Rob researched and recommended a company in Airlie Beach to charter a boat for sailing in the Whitsundays. It worked out perfectly and I was truly grateful for his help.
Posted by
Mouthansar


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2009-12-25 22:49:08
2025-02-07 15:10:26 - Re: In Memoriam - Rob Neilson (Tyger)
Robert, you reached out when I received my diagnosis. Your words of comfort weighed in more when I realized you had one too.
We rounded the mark together, but you reached the finish first.
Fare well and fair winds forever.

--- Last Edited by Mouthansar at 2025-02-07 15:14:13 ---
Posted by
bonknhoot


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2025-03-02 12:45:31 - Re: In Memoriam - Rob Neilson (Tyger)
Much has been written remembering Robert, but perhaps it needs to be said that not only was Robert a terrific marketeer, who really really knew 'the World and its wife' in offshore racing land, but a hugely practical manager, adept at 'throwing it over the fence' once the contacts were established and the plan was in place, as I experienced in 2020, when via go'ol Skype (soon to be discontinued) he walked me into creating a voiced presentation on 'How to SOL' for the website of the Newport Bermuda Race organization. I said you're lucky I have some Powerpoint experience. He said I knew you would have. That was Robert, thinking ahead.
Clipping along

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