Four towering figures from Australian sailing's history, an Olympic gold medallist, an offshore racing stalwart, a pioneering world champion and a colonial-era naval architect, have been inducted into the Australian Sailing Hall of Fame.
Olympic gold medallist and world champion Tom Burton OAM OLY, offshore racing and administration stalwart David Kellett AM, multi-decade world champion Dr Lyndall Patterson (née Coxon), and pioneering naval architect Walter Reeks have all joined the Hall of Fame. Between them, the quartet spans more than a century of the sport, from skiffs and pearling luggers to Olympic skiff racing.
"I thought the President must have me confused with someone else when she rang me to advise that I was to be inducted into the Hall of Fame," Kellett said. "I am extremely honoured to be recognised and inducted into such an outstanding group of individuals, many were my boyhood hero's. I am humbled to be among them. We do not do it for the honour and recognition; we work for the sport because we love it and want to see it thrive."
Patterson was equally humble. "I feel honoured and humbled to be included in the Australian Sailing Hall of Fame. I recognise that this would not have happened without the enduring support of my family and wider sailing community."
The Hall of Fame, presented in partnership with the Australian National Maritime Museum, is Australian sailing's highest recognition, covering racing, design, coaching and administration.
Burton's path began at Wangi Sailing Club at age 12. He made his Olympic debut at 26 and went into the London 2012 medal race ten points behind Croatia's Tonci Stipanovic, forcing a penalty on the Croatian in a pre-start match race before chasing down the fleet to snatch gold. He added the world title in 2019 after finishing runner-up in 2014 and 2017, then switched from the Laser to the 49er skiff in pursuit of a place at Paris 2024.
Kellett has sailed 45 Sydney to Hobart races, 21 of them as skipper, and steered Sovereign to the historic double of line honours and overall handicap win in 1987. He went on to serve as Vice President of the International Sailing Federation and became the first Australian elected Treasurer of World Sailing, serving in that role from 2008 to 2012.
Patterson's six world titles span five decades, from the inaugural Women's World Laser Championship in 1977 through to the Grand Masters title she claimed in June this year. It is a record built from humble beginnings learning to sail a Sabot at Hunters Hill Sailing Club.
Reeks, born in England in 1861, set up shop in Sydney at just 24 and is regarded as the first full-time professional naval architect in the Australian colonies. His 1887 yacht Era is believed to be the first in the world built under the new Waterline Length and Sail Area rule, and his influence stretched from Sydney Harbour racing skiffs to Torres Strait pearling luggers.
