Three of Australia’s modern sailing stars are set to be inducted into the Australian Sailing Hall of Fame. Olympic and America’s Cup luminaries Glenn Ashby OLY, Nathan Outteridge OAM OLY, and Iain Jensen OAM OLY have been announced as the latest legends.
Bendigo’s Ashby is a 17-time world champion across several multihull disciplines, an Olympic silver medallist, an America’s Cup-winning skipper, and recently set a world land speed sailing record of 222.4 kilometres per hour, showcasing the innovation and courage that define his career.
“It is a real pleasure and honour to receive this induction into the Australian Sailing Hall of Fame,” said Ashby. “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 are being recognised for their exceptional achievements as a team, including 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.”
Jensen expressed similar sentiments regarding the honour, stating, “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 contributions at the highest level by individuals or teams, 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. For a list of all previous Hall of Fame inductees, visit the Hall of Fame here.
Glenn Ashby
Growing up in Bendigo, Victoria, Glenn Ashby learned to sail at Bendigo Yacht Club on Lake Eppalock, where time on the water transformed from a hobby into a lifelong passion and career. He became 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 incredible 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.
Glenn’s reputation as a foiling and multihull specialist 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 2013 America’s Cup challenge. In 2017, Glenn skippered Emirates Team New Zealand to a historic victory in Bermuda, serving as wing trimmer on the AC50, and reclaimed the America’s Cup for New Zealand. In 2021, he played a crucial role in the team’s successful defence, trimming the mainsail.
Never shy of a challenge, Glenn directed a project in 2022 which set a new world land speed sailing record aboard Horonuku on Lake Gairdner in South Australia, reaching an astounding 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 sailing in Wangi Wangi, New South Wales. Together they won the Flying 11 National Championships in 2000, cementing their friendship and shared passion for sailing, which became a lifelong partnership.
Their collaboration in the 49er class began in 2009, leading to four World Championship medals in four years — including gold in 2009, silver in 2010, and back-to-back titles in 2011 and 2012.
At the 2012 London Games, they converted their dominance into Olympic gold, taking the lead after the third race and never looking back, securing the gold medal before the medal race. They won Australian Sailing’s Male Sailor of the Year Award that year.
Following London, they focused on the America’s Cup, joining Artemis Racing for the 2013 America’s Cup. The duo was heavily involved in Artemis’ challenge for the 2017 America’s Cup, with Jensen as the trusted wing-trimmer to skipper and helmsman Outteridge, reaching the Louis Vuitton Cup final.
At the Rio 2016 Olympics, they added a silver medal to their accolades, finishing behind their New Zealand training partners and rivals. Together, Outteridge and Jensen competed in SailGP with the Japanese team, where Outteridge helmed them to second-place finishes in Season 1, once more alongside his trusted wingman Jensen.
The physicality and technical skill required to excel in 49er sailing, combined with their sustained dominance at World Championships, highlight their dedication and mastery of the sport.
Michael Martin
Head of Marketing and Communications, Australian Sailing
#SailingAustralia #SailingLegends #HallOfFame #AustralianSailing
