The latest group of Australian Sailing representatives have been presented with their Barranjoey Pins in an emotional ceremony at Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron during Sail Melbourne 2018.

The presentation was top and tailed with the presentations of Pin numbers 3 and 203. Australia’s 1948 Olympics Firefly class representative Bob French’s son Jim received Pin #3 on his late father’s behalf to open proceedings, before 2011 and 2014 Australian Worlds representative and current Australian Sailing Team member Sam Philips closed the night when he was presented with Pin #203.

The Pins were presented on the night by recipient #165, 2008 Beijing 470 gold medallist Elise Rechichi and current Australian Sailing Director Sarah Ogilvy (Laser Radial at 2004 and 2008 Olympics, Pin #156), with Ogilvy speaking passionately about what it meant to receive the Pin and reflect on her achievements with her parents, husband and children in attendance.

“Looking back now, I distinctly remember when I was sailing I was always thinking about what was coming up next” Ogilvy recalled on the night. “Whatever regatta I was at, I was always looking ahead at what I could do to improve my performance at the next event, and not really appreciating the moment. That’s why it is so special to be here tonight and to reflect on what I was able to accomplish in my sailing career with my family all here with me to share it with”.

1984 Tornado World Championship teammates Graeme Harbour (Pin #91) and Graeme Parker (Pin #92) were presented with their Pins, whilst Olympic Soiling class representatives Tim Dorning (Los Angeles 1984 and Barcelona 1992, Pin #74), Glenn Read (Seoul 1988, Pin #76) and Bill Hodder (Dorning’s teammate in Barcelona, Pin #118) also received theirs at the home of sailing at the 1956 Olympics.

There was a particularly touching moment when the Bucek sisters (Australia’s representatives at the 1978 470 World Championships) were recognised for their achievements, with Addy (Pin #62) proudly accepting her Pin before Addy senior accepted her late daughter Sarah’s Pin (Pin #64) with Sarah’s children watching on proudly.

Other recipients on the night included Pin recipient #20 and 1960 Olympian Ernie Wagstaff (represented by Kerry Peterson) and recipient #167, 2008 and 2012 Olympian Krystal Weir.

Initiated earlier in 2018, the Barranjoey Pin has been designed to acknowledge the legacy and history of Olympic and Paralympic class sailing in Australia and to recognise the achievements of those who have competed and continue to compete at the highest level for Australia in sailing.