Sydney yachtsman Roger Hickman has lost his battle with a brain tumour, passing away on March 2.

The owner/skipper of the famed Farr 43 Wild Rose was a permanent fixture at Sail Port Stephens regatta and spoke recently about his desire to compete again in April after his recent Sydney-Hobart campaign ended with a shock cancer diagnosis.

“Hicko” was taken from Wild Rose to Royal Hobart Hospital then flown back to Sydney for brain surgery. He was undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy but his disease progressed.

Hickman was recognised as the CYCA Ocean Racer of the Year Award in 2014 after a stellar 12 months in which Wild Rose finished first in both IRC and ORCi in the Rolex Sydney-Hobart and first in division in both the Australian and NSW IRC Championships.

Each year Sail Port Stephens presents a Roger ‘Hicko’ trophy to the crew adjudged to have best embraced the fun-loving spirit of Port Stephens.

Our sympathies go to Roger’s family, friends and crew mates.