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AUSTRALIAN SAILING (^) + YACHTING
APRIL-MAY 2015 MYSAILING.COM.AU
NEWS
IAN Williams has made match racing history
by winning a record fifth world title on the
Alpari World Match Racing Tour. The GAC
Pindar skipper from Great Britain secured
the world title after beating Swiss sailor Eric
Monnin in the semi-finals of the Monsoon Cup
Malaysia in Johor Bahru.
Williams won his first World Championship
in 2007, and added three more titles in
2008, 2011 and 2012, when he drew level
with Australian sailor Peter Gilmour with
four titles. This victory makes him the most
successful match racer in the sport.
“It’s incredible,” said Williams after
beating Monnin 3-0 in the semi-finals.
“When I started sailing full time, giving up
my job as a lawyer, I was hoping to win one
world championship one day, so to win five is
incredible. I can’t say enough about the great
job these guys did on board.”
Williams is crewed by Gerry Mitchell
(mainsheet), Mal Parker (trimmer), Chris Main
(pit and tactics) and Graeme Spence (bowman).
- WMRT Media
ABOVE: Record Fifth World Title For Ian Williams and his team GAC Pindar.
TOP: Team GAC Pindar crossing the line to win the championship.VALE JOHN HARRISON AM
JOHN Harrison AM, section manager of the
Australian sailing teams at the 1992, 1996, and 2000
Olympics, died in Brisbane after a long illness, aged 80.
Yachting Australia, in recognising his contribution
to the sport with its Volunteer award (formerly Services
to Yachting Award) for 2000-2001 said:
“The Sydney 2000 Olympic Games was the pinnacle
of a lifetime of volunteer work in sailing by John. At
his third Olympic Games for Australia John delivered
the Australian Olympic sailing team the best possible
management support a team could hope for.
“Working under stressful conditions due to the
demands of a home Games and the administrative
requirements of the Australian Olympic Committee,
John ensured that the team members were fully
supported both on the land and on the water.
“He managed a team of 18 athletes and 11 support
staff at what was Australia’s most successful Olympicsailing regatta. John has established a standard of team
management that will be difficult to match. The Olympic
team members and staff appreciated his efforts and
believe that John should be recognised nationally for his
contribution to Australia’s Olympic sailing history.”
Harrison was a former Commodore of the Royal
Queensland Yacht Squadron and the Squadron
honoured him last year for his commitment to
Olympic sailing by forming the “RQYS John
Harrison Olympic Support Foundation”.
John Harrison was a highly competitive Finn sailor in
the very strong Brisbane fleet of the 1970s that included
Olympian Ron Jenyns. Sydney friend and former
Australian Finn champion Geoff Davidson recalls, “He
used to say ‘I can beat you any time I want to.’”
John Harrison is survived by his wife Gail Ann and
children Sean, Anna, Matthew, Holly and Rebecca.- Bob Ross
RQYS
John Harrison was known for his work with the
Australian Sailing Team and the Sydney Olympics.IAN WILLIAMS MAKES
MATCH RACING HISTORY
ROBERT HAJDUK / AWMRTROBERT HAJDUK / AWMRT