The recent death of Robert Joseph (Bob) Holmes was the passing of one of the truly great Australian 18ft Skiff champions. Bob was five times JJ Giltinan world champion and five times Australian champion, and won many other state and club championships over a ten year career in the class. He was also the first Australian skipper to win more than one JJ Giltinan world Championship. After competing for several seasons in the 16 footers, at the Middle Harbour club, Bob joined the 18ft skiff ranks in the 1964-1965 season and immediately had success when he won both the 1964-1965 NSW and Australian Championships, on Sydney Harbour, as well as the 1965 JJ Giltinan world Championship, in Auckland NZ, with his team of Hugh Cooke, Bob Sheridan and Bob Hagley.