Norm Robertson, born in 1897 in Hamilton, Ontario, was Canada’s first Olympic sailor, representing the country at the 1924 Paris Olympics.
In 1924, Robertson emerged victorious in a gruelling 21-race series at the Royal Canadian Yacht Club (RCYC), earning his spot at the Paris Olympics. Despite challenging conditions and limited preparation time, he competed valiantly. Post-Olympics, he continued to make his mark in sailing, owning and racing notable yachts like Whirl, Crusader, and Vreda, often working with limited financial resources.
During the Great Depression, he sold Vreda but later purchased and rebuilt the P-Class sloop Nutmeg III, winning her division at the 1939 LYRA regatta. In 1947, he sold Nutmeg to finance a new Lightning for his son, John, who followed in his footsteps as an Olympic sailor in 1948 and 1952.
Norm Robertson was honored with a Lifetime Membership at RHYC in 1960. His legacy as a pioneering Olympic sailor and dedicated yachtsman remains prominent in Canadian yachting history. Robertson passed away in 1975 at the age of 78.