It is with the deepest sadness and regret that the 5O5 World has learned of the sudden and tragic death of Morten Ramsbaek.

Morten died at home suddenly on Sunday morning 25^th September of a ruptured aortic aneurysm.

I was speaking with Morten only two weeks ago, in the boat park at Malcesine, Italy where he was competing in the European Championships with his helmsman of 17 years, Jan Saugmann. I am having extreme difficulty in comprehending that Morten is no longer with us.

In recent years the success and sailing prowess of Jan & Morten has earned them the nick name "The Fast Danes". This reputation was confirmed without question when they won the 2007 World Championships in Adelaide, Australia

Throughout the 5O5 World when the term "The Fast Danes" is used, the question is never asked:- "Who are they?" We all know exactly to whom the reference is made. Together they truly represent the best of characteristics of International sportsmen.

Morten's wide friendly smile, his sense of humour, his friendly nature and his ability on the race course will be greatly missed by all the International 5O5 "Family".

To his wife, Suzan Frederiksen and to his two sons, Frederick 12 and Emil 10, I wish to convey on behalf of the ent ire International 5O5 community, our most sincere sympathy and condolences.

Also to Jan Saugmann, Morten's long time friend and sailing partner, be assured all your sailing friends' thoughts and sympathy are with you at this very difficult time.

M. A."Pip" Pearson

International 5O5 President.

Attached below is an obituary written by Jan for the Danish sailing press:-

"Morten died Sunday morning in his home in Farum, Denmark. The cause of death is by autopsy determined to be a ruptured aortic aneurysm, which caused death immediately.

Morten was a respected person in the 505 class Internationally, as well as in the broader Danish yachting circuits.

I have been sailing with Morten since 1994, and know him as a dedicated person who newer compromised his integrity nor his own ideals.

Through all this years Morten and I have spend many hours together in the boat during races, in between races, on the road and at private festivity, so I feel I know every aspect of Mortens character. He was good at abstracting from stressed situations, he was witted and inventive. All characteristics that come in handy when it is about sailing around a race course.

However, there is other things to life than sailing. Morten also possessed other good characteristics. He was always well informed about what went on in society and in the world, both as part of his job as portfolio manager in a pension fund, but also because he had a general interest in what happened around him. That together with a healthy potion of humour made him a most enjoyable person to spend time with, and we had many long and good discussions about this or that, often with a good laugh included.

Morten by the way was a very forgiving person. If he hadn´t been his and mine companionship probably wouldn´t have lasted as long as it did.

Morten have been a part of my life for the last 17 years, and I will miss spending time with him."

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