BOB OATLEY (AUS)|
| | Nomination |
The Australian owner
of the super-successful
maxi Wild Oats clearly
has no intention of
slowing down as he
gains in ‘maturity’. Although he no
longer sails onboard for longer races,
Oatley is the driving force behind
one of the world’s most aggressive
sailboat development programmes.
Wild Oats does boast a veritable
quiver of appendages but the overall
effect is clearly successful. And now
there is an America’s Cup campaign
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| Why they won |
| ‘Bob has done so much for sailing in Australia and supported so
many talented sailors that he definitely deserves this award’ – Jon
Roberson. Oatley is best known as owner of a string of Wild Oats,
but in Australia he is equally regarded for a great deal of behind
the scenes effort to support emerging talent. His family is also
keen on innovation, witness the multiple-appendage configuration
of Wild Oats XI and the rotating keel Reichel-Pugh design
launched two years ago. Sailing technology needs more Oatleys! |
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