Three of Australia’s modern sailing stars are set to be inducted into the Australian Sailing Hall of Fame, with Olympic and America’s Cup stars Glenn Ashby OLY, Nathan Outteridge OAM OLY and Iain Jensen OAM OLY today being announced as the Hall’s latest legends.
Bendigo’s Ashby is a 17-time world champion across several multihull disciplines, an Olympic silver medallist, America’s Cup-winning skipper and most recently set a new world land speed sailing record of 222.4 kilometres per hour, showcasing the same innovation and courage that have defined his career.
“It is a real pleasure and honour to receive this induction into the Australian Sailing Hall of Fame,” said Ashby at the announcement.
“Over my career I have had the pleasure and good fortune of sailing alongside and competing against some of Australia’s and the world’s finest. Whilst in some ways this signals the end of an era for me, it also opens the doors to new and exciting challenges on and off the water into the future.”
Lifelong friends Nathan Outteridge and Iain Jensen have been inducted for their performances as a team, which include Olympic gold and silver medals, Youth and Senior World Championships, America’s Cup campaigns and a second-place finish in SailGP.
“It is an incredible honour and a deeply humbling privilege to be inducted into the Australian Sailing Hall of Fame,” said Outteridge.
“To be recognised alongside so many extraordinary sailors who have inspired generations is something I will treasure always. Representing Australia on the world stage has been one of the greatest joys of my life, and every time I’ve worn the green and gold I’ve felt immense pride and gratitude. This recognition is not just a personal milestone, but a celebration of the passion, teamwork, and spirit that make Australian sailing so special.”
His great mate Jensen shared a similar sentiment when told of the honour.
“It’s a great honour and very humbling to be inducted in the Australian Sailing Hall of Fame. Looking through the past inductees, this will be something I will be proud of for years to come.”
The Australian Sailing Hall of Fame acknowledges exceptional performance and contribution at the highest level by an individual or a team, both past and present. The Award includes all sailing categories and positions that contribute to the sport – including coaches and designers.
The inductions will take place at the Australian National Maritime Museum tonight, you can see a list of all previous Hall of Fame inductees here.
Glenn Ashby
Growing up in Bendigo, Victoria, Glenn Ashby learned to sail from Bendigo Yacht Club on Lake Eppalock, where time on the water quickly turned from a hobby into a lifelong passion and a successful career. He went on to become one of the most successful multihull sailors in history, collecting an extraordinary 17 world titles across several classes.
In partnership with Darren Bundock, Glenn achieved exceptional success in two-person multihulls, winning three Tornado World Championships and three Formula 18 World Championships. The pair represented Australia at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, earning a silver medal in the Tornado class.
Darren Bundock and Glenn Ashby | Image credit: Getty Images
Glenn’s reputation as a foiling and multihull specialist soon drew him into the world’s most prestigious sailing competition – the America’s Cup. He joined BMW Oracle Racing in 2010 as a coach during their successful campaign, before moving to Emirates Team New Zealand for their Challenge for the 2013 America’s Cup. In 2017, Glenn skippered Emirates Team New Zealand to a historic victory in Bermuda, serving as wing trimmer on the AC50, and reclaiming the America’s Cup for New Zealand. Four years later in 2021, he remained central to the team’s success, trimming the mainsail during their successful defence.
Never one to shy away from a challenge, Glenn turned his attention from water to land in 2022, leading a project that set a new world land speed sailing record aboard Horonuku on Lake Gairdner in South Australia. Powered only by the wind, Glenn reached an incredible 222.4 kilometres per hour.
Glenn won two Australian Sailing Male Sailor of the Year Awards in 2007 and 2017 and was a finalist for World Sailing Male Sailor of the Year in 2017.
Nathan Outteridge OAM and Iain Jensen OAM
Nathan Outteridge and Iain Jensen grew up on the waters of Wangi Wangi, New South Wales. Together they won the Flying 11 National Championships in 2000, with their friendship and shared passion for the sport laying the foundation for a lifelong sailing partnership.
Their partnership in the 49er class began in 2009 and they would go on to win four World Championship medals in as many years — gold in 2009, silver in 2010, and back-to-back titles in 2011 and 12.
At the 2012 London Games on the waters off Weymouth, they converted that dominance into Olympic gold. Outteridge and Jensen took the lead after the third race and never looked back, securing the gold medal before the medal race. For their efforts they won Australian Sailing’s Male Sailor of the Year Award that year.
Following London, the pair turned their attention to the America’s Cup, joining Artemis Racing challenging for the 2013 America’s Cup. The duo were heavily involved with Artemis’ challenge for the 2017 America’s Cup, where with Jensen as the trusted wing-trimmer to skipper and helmsman Outteridge they made the final of the Louis Vuitton Cup.
At the Rio 2016 Olympics, they added a silver medal to their collection, beaten by their New Zealand training partners and rivals.
Outterige and Jensen with Japan SailGP | Image credit: SailGP
Together, Outteridge and Jensen competed in SailGP with the Japanese team, with Outteridge helming them to second place finishes in Season 1, once again with his trusted wingman Jensen.
The physicality and technical skill required to compete at the top of 49er sailing, combined with their sustained dominance at World Championships for multiple years, is a testament to their dedication and mastery of the sport.
For more information visit www.sailing.org.au.
