INGLEWOOD, Calif. (October 30, 2012)—Claudene Christian, a former marketing executive at Betfair Hollywood Park, died Monday after the sinking of the HMS Tall Ship Bounty – as a result of Hurricane Sandy – off the coast of North Carolina.

A former Miss Teen Alaska, a graduate of USC and a song girl for the school, Christian, 42, was found unresponsive by the United States Coast Guard and was later pronounced dead at a North Carolina hospital.

“She was always bubbly and energetic, so full of life,’’ said George Ortuzar, the current promotions manager – a job once held by Christian - at Betfair Hollywood Park who worked with her and remained in contact. “She loved horse racing and was one of the people who helped start the Railbird Club (which remains a popular Sunday feature for handicappers and workout watchers during the Spring/Summer and Autumn meets).

“She was so happy to be on the ship. She texted me all the time and let me know how excited she was about all the different places they were going.’’

Christian began working on the Bounty, which is a replica ship of the “Mutiny on the Bounty’’ vessel, in May. According to her Facebook page, she was a descendant of Fletcher Christian, who was portrayed by Errol Flynn, Clark Gable, Marlon Brando and Mel Gibson in various films.

“I live work and travel the sea aboard the HMS Tall Ship Bounty,’’ Christian wrote on her Facebook page. “A sailing museum traveling from port to port sharing our ship and our history.’’
An accomplished singer, Christian was also the owner and founder of the Cheerleader Doll Company, which manufactured exacta replica of college cheerleader dolls for more than 100 of the country’s top universities.