Twenty-seven of Australia’s sailing heroes gathered last week to be inducted into Australian Sailing’s new alumni program and receive their Barranjoey Pin. There were world and Olympic gold medallists, America’s Cup and Admiral’s cup legends amongst the list of inductees at the packed event at the Australian National Maritime Museum.

2016 Olympic medallists Tom Burton and Lisa Darmanin were the first to be inducted, and the pair remained on stage to present many of their peers with their pins in a moving ceremony.

Darmanin commented on the honour she now shares with so many greats of the sport with this Pin when she spoke to the crowd. “It’s a great honour to receive this Pin amongst some of the best of the sport here today and it’s a symbol of how successful sailing has been in Australia for so many years” Darmanin Said.

Burton and Darmanin went on to welcome other Australian Sailing legends including 1968 Olympian Carl Ryves, Gordon Ingate of Admiral’s Cup, America’s Cup and Olympic Games fame, dual Paralympic gold medallist Leisl Tesch and windsurfing pioneers Jessica Crisp and Lars Kleppich.

The Barranjoey Pin alumni program was introduced by Australian Sailing to acknowledge the legacy and history of Olympic and Paralympic class sailing in Australia, and recognise those athletes who have achieved the Australian Sailing Team standard since the Team's establishment in 2006.

In the shadows of the original Barranjoey boat which the Pin is named after, Australian Sailing President, Matt Allen, stated that the Pin embodies the sport’s greats and brings them together.   

“It’s so great to see both the younger and older generations’ together celebrating the great traditions and values of those who have competed at the highest level of competition which is embodied with this Pin.” said Allen.

The presentations concluded with Darmanin inducting her cousin and fellow Rio silver medallist in the Nacra 17, Jason Waterhouse, in a touching moment.

The roll-out of the Barranjoey Pin presentations will continue in the future, as Australian Sailing aims to recognise those who have contributed so much to ensure the long term success of the sport of sailing.

The full list of recipients on the day included:

For details about Pin qualification criteria, see www.australiansailing.org

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