A Génève-based skipper, Louis Noverraz had a long Olympic sailing career, competing in four Olympic Games over a 32-year period, from 1936-68. In 1936 his boat Ylliam VIII was disqualified in the 6-metre class after problems with amateur status of a crew member, but they may have won the gold medal if that had not occurred. During his long career he is credited with winning over 1,500 sailing events. He was 1961 World Champion in the 5.5 metre class, and was twice a European Champion – in the 1953 6-metre class and the 1968 5.5 metre class. Noverraz also won the One-Ton Cup Event at Oyster Bay, New York in 1953, the first non-American to win that prestigious event. In 1970 Baron Marcel Bich called on him to be at the helm and skipper France I in the contender trials for the America’s Cup.
Noverraz was also known as an automobile racer, driving Bugattis, notably in the 1st Grand Prix de Bern in Formula One in 1949. His day job was as an architect. He was also considered a top billiards player.
Switzerland