Ragamuffin Man

Syd Fischer's story is one of remarkable success in both the business and sailing worlds.

IN 1938 a knockabout 11-year-old working class kid from Marrickville, Sydney, is suddenly confronted by mortality. His mother dies. Dad is a plumber, and has little time for his son's upbringing or education. The boy turns to sport. He's bright, but by the age of 14 his teachers suggest he leave school and learn a trade. At 20 he's already a self-employed carpenter, making good money in the postwar building boom. On weekends he's the sweep of the champion North Steyne surfboat crew.

In 2016 that same boy is now a multi-millionaire. He owns – and runs – the Australian Development Corporation, Sydney City Marine, a host of associated companies and countless office and housing blocks. He is also one of the world's most successful sailors, having won Sydney to Hobart races in his Ragamuffin yachts and competed eight times for Australia in the Admiral's Cup. He jointly holds the record for the most number of America's Cup campaigns – all self-funded and managed personally.

He is Syd Fischer – 'El Syd' to some, 'Syd Vicious' to others – the Ragamuffin man. He's known as perhaps the toughest and most uncompromising Australian businessman and sportsman of the past half century. He lives in a boatshed on Mosman Bay and at 88 still competes in the punishing sport of long-distance offshore yacht racing.

This is the story of Fischer's remarkable worlds, and of his unrelenting quest to win the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race one more time.

About the Author

David Salter is a veteran independent journalist, author and television producer. He was Executive Producer of Media Watch and Editor-In-Chief of The Week. He has written books Australian history, sport, and the media and is himself an experienced offshore racing sailor.