READ MORE:<\/strong> Smith injury rocks Aussie camp on eve of Ashes<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n READ MORE:<\/strong> Storm star lifts lid on 'toughest' battle<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n AOC president Ian Chesterman paid tribute to Hardy.<\/p>\n "James Hardy's name is inextricably bound with the sport he loved over so many decades," he said in a statement.<\/p>\n "He was picked for the Tokyo 1964 Games then Mexico 1968 Games in the 5.5 metre class \u2013 finishing seventhth<\/sup> in Mexico – and he famously led the charge for Australia in three America's Cup campaigns as skipper.<\/p>\n "He ignited Australia's obsession with claiming that trophy, eventually achieved in 1983, with Sir James advising winning skipper John Bertrand.<\/p>\n "James Hardy made an impact in many areas during his life, and he will be very sadly missed by the sailing community and the broader Australian sports community."<\/p>\n For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by<\/strong><\/em> clicking here<\/strong><\/em><\/a>!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<\/p>\n