A Grateful Salute to the Australian Sailing Team: A Message from Alistair Murray AM, President of Australian Sailing
A Tribute to the Australian Sailing Team from Alistair Murray, President of Australian Sailing
As an avid supporter of the Olympics and a long-time sponsor of our sailing teams, I’ve been writing a tribute to our athletes for about four Olympic Games. This year, I have the privilege of sharing my thoughts as the Australian Sailing President, having been present for the events in Marseille.
My wife, Tracey, and I, along with AS Director Rich Wormald and his wife Carrie, were overjoyed to be in Paris to witness Jessica Fox capturing her first gold medal—what an incredible moment!
During our stay, we attended a cocktail party at the Australian Ambassador’s residence, enjoying stunning views of the Eiffel Tower. It was a fantastic opportunity to mingle with Olympic legends such as Dawn Fraser and Kieren Perkins. Chef de Mission Anna Meares delivered an inspiring speech about the courage required to represent our country under immense pressure and emphasized that simply qualifying for the Olympics is a remarkable achievement in itself.
Australia had the third largest contingent at the Games in Paris, following the USA and the host nation, France. Our team consisted of 460 athletes, with around 100 bringing home medals from 53 events. While 360 athletes returned without medals, they are all champions for their courage and for reaching a level of sport that many only dream of.
With great excitement, we made our way to Marseille to support our sailing team, one of the youngest ever, boasting an average age of just 24.
The conditions proved challenging. The heat and humidity were intense, and even when there was a breeze, it was erratic and unpredictable. As the regatta progressed into its second week, many faced additional challenges as conditions deteriorated.
Throughout the week, we were based at Le Comptoir Marsellaise, our designated venue for family and friends. It was a joyous atmosphere filled with parents, friends, and fellow sailors from other nations. We were proud to have Senator the Honourable Richard Colbeck and his wife, Gaylene, with us daily, sharing in the excitement of the events that were streamed live on the big screen, thanks to the efforts of Zoe Thomson’s brother, Alex, and Beau Outteridge.
We cheered passionately for our sailors and took pride in their performances. Zoe Thomson (ILCA6), Jim Colley and Shaun Connor (49er), alongside Brin Liddell and Rhiannan Brown (Nacra), exhibited flashes of brilliance and should be proud of their achievements. They are young and have bright futures ahead in sailing, possibly at the next Olympics. The same goes for Nia Jerwood and Conor Nicholas (470), Olivia Price and Evie Hazeldine (49erFX), and Breiana Whitehead (Women’s Kite)—all of whom made it into the top 10/medal races. Great job!
Among our standout athletes was Grae Morris (Men’s Windsurfer), who captivated us with his performance, ultimately qualifying for the final and securing a silver medal. His coach, Arthur Brett, deserves commendation as well. The celebration back at the venue was unforgettable, and Grae had us in stitches when, after the English girls at our table inquired about his medal, he humorously replied that it was for “gymnastics.” It was a pleasure to meet his family, who felt like our own.
Similarly, our superstar Matt Wearn brought immense pride to his supporters and his family, Brad and Karen, who were thrilled all week. Matt demonstrated exceptional poise under pressure, and his coach, Rafa Trujillo, was equally remarkable, with supporters eagerly waiting as delays pushed the medal race back repeatedly. Ultimately, Matt triumphed against Pavlos Kontides of Cyprus, echoing Australia’s previous victories in London 2012. Congratulations, Matt, for representing our country with such honor as the flag bearer at the closing ceremony.
In total, Australia secured a gold and a silver medal in sailing, ranking us equal 4th among sailing nations. While we are proud of our young team’s accomplishments, we also see great potential for future competitions in Los Angeles and Brisbane.
This success was a team effort, led by CEO Ben Houston and High-Performance Director Iain Brambell, supported by Technical Director Michael “Blackers” Blackburn. Special thanks to our coaches—Victor, Rafa, Shane, Arthur, Carolijn, Darren “Bundy,” Andrea, and Josh—and the wider support staff, including Ashley, Mark, Sam, Amanda, Kai, Michael, Marcelin, Lucy, Dan, Samantha, Lisa, Natalie, Charlotte, Beau, and Alex. Additionally, thanks to those on the ground in Sydney who contributed significantly.
We deeply appreciate the continued support from our regular visitors to the Friends and Family venue, including influential figures such as Ian Chesterman, Matt Carroll, Sarah Kenny, Matt Allen, and David Gotze, whose patronage is vital to our efforts.
Overall, this experience was unforgettable, and we aspire to return for the LA Games. On a personal note, a highlight was when our waiter, Guillame, discovered Tracey was my wife. “You’ve won the gold medal!” he exclaimed!
Source
Sarah Mitchell, an experienced sailor and marine journalist from Sydney, has nurtured a love for the ocean throughout her life. After earning a degree in Marine Journalism from the University of Sydney, Sarah quickly made a name for herself with her compelling and vivid storytelling. Her work captures the thrill of sailing and the unique culture of maritime life, making her a respected figure in the sailing community. Outside of writing, Sarah spends her time exploring Australia’s stunning coastlines and competing in local regattas, always on the lookout for her next great adventure.