Pioneers and groundbreakers amongst 2019 Australian Sailing Hall of Fame inductees

Some of the most recognisable names in Australian sailing are amongst the third group of inductees to the Australian Sailing Hall of Fame.

Established in 2017 by Australian Sailing in collaboration with the Australian National Maritime Museum, the Australian Sailing Hall of Fame will recognise the greats of the sport of sailing – those who have inspired many and contributed so much to make the sport what it is today.

This year’s inductees will join the likes of the Team of Australia II, Kay Cottee AO and Daniel Fitzgibbon OAM and Liesl Tesch AM in the Hall of Fame.

“Sailing has a long and wonderful history in Australia, and has been responsible for some of the most iconic sporting moments the country has ever seen,” said Australian Sailing President, Matt Allen. “Recognising those who have been part of this history and acknowledging their contribution is at the heart of the Australian Sailing Hall of Fame.”

The 2019 inductees for the Australia Sailing Hall of Fame are:

ADRIENNE CAHALAN OAM

“With an extraordinary string of overall, handicap and race records in the famous Sydney to Hobart yacht race to her name, Adrienne remains a force in our sport, on and off the water.” Selection panel

Adrienne Cahalan, OAM, is world-renowned for her extensive and successful career as a champion sailor and navigator.

Her unparalleled sailing experience includes 18-foot skiffs, a record of 27 Sydney to Hobart yacht races by a woman, circumnavigations, Whitbread and Volvo round the world races, five multihull world speed sailing records - including the 24 hour record and the Round the World Record with Steve Fossett on the catamaran Cheyenne.

MARK FOY

“Mark Foy was a man who put sailing firmly in the public’s eye and made it a hit with both sailors and the general public.” Selection panel

Mark Foy’s legacy by any measure makes him one of the most significant historical figures in our sport. He changed the landscape of sailing with the creation of the Sydney Flying Squadron and their colourful 18-foot skiffs in 1920’s Sydney. In 1898 he took his 22-foot boat Irex to compete in England, a groundbreaking event as it began our nation’s a proud history of international sailing competition.

GREG HYDE

“Greg excelled in almost every area of sailing winning world championships in Cherub dinghies, windsurfing and disabled classes plus many nationals in skiffs and two Hobart races to boot.” Selection panel

Greg Hyde is one of the most accomplished all-round sailors Australia has ever seen. He has set records that may never be matched, having taken out titles across Cherub, Dinghy, windsurfer and skiff classes as well as a Sydney Hobart before being cut down by a rare illness that saw him transition to an Access Class champion.

TRYGVE AND MAGNUS HALVORSEN

“Trygve and Magnus Halvorsen are among the most successful ocean racers ever to have sailed out of Australia. Their record performance in the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race is unlikely ever to be broken and overshadow their unquestioned distinction in boat building, yacht design and ocean yacht navigation.” Selection panel

The brothers were true pioneers of what was to become modern day boat designing, with their boats achieving great success particularly in the Sydney Hobart yacht race with five overall wins (1954 Solveig, 1957 Anitra V, 1963,64 and 65 Freya) and five second place finishes.

Nominations for this year’s inductions were considered by a highly regarded Selection Panel, which was chaired by David Tillett AM. Mr Tillett has served as Chairman of the Jury at numerous Olympic Games and America’s Cup events, in addition to serving on the World Sailing Council and Australian Sailing Board. He was joined on the Selection Panel by Amanda Lulham, Michael Spies, Karyn Gojnich, Greg Johns, David Staley, Matthew Allen (representing the Australian Sailing Board) and Kevin Sumption (representing the Australian National Maritime Museum).

You can read more about all of the Hall of Fame inductees on the Australian Sailing Hall of Fame website.