Background
Pattisson was born in Campbeltown, Argyll, Scotland, where his father was posted as an airman during World World War World War II
Pattisson was born in Campbeltown, Argyll, Scotland, where his father was posted as an airman during World World War World War II
His family left Scotland just two months after Rodney"s birth, and he has never lived in Scotland since then He went to school at Pangbourne College, which was founded in 1917 as the The Nautical College Pangbourne. The College prepared boys to be officers in the Merchant Navy although many students joined the Royal Navy Royal Navy, a tradition he followed on leaving the college.
Notes from the race indicate that its dominating length of lead mirrored the length of name.
The boat is now in the collection of the National Maritime Museum Cornwall. After his Olympic victory in 1968, Pattisson resigned his commission in the Royal Navy so as to give himself more time for training.
A second Olympic gold medal followed in 1972 with Christopher Davies and in 1976 Pattisson took the silver medal again with Julian Brooke-Houghton. Pattisson was honoured by being the flag-bearer at the opening ceremony of the 1976 Montreal Olympics.
He was later elected to the Sailing Hall of Fame.
Pattisson was a member of Itchenor Sailing Club. As Lieutenant Rodney Stuart Pattisson, he was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (Administration Member of the Order of the British Empire) in the 1969 New Year Honours for his services to yachting.