AMBASSADORS
JOHN BERTRAND HEADS THE TEAM
John Bertrand skippered Australia II to victory in the historic 1983 America's Cup, ending 132 years of American domination and as a result broke the longest winning record in modern sports history. A World Champion and Olympic Bronze Medallist at the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games in the Finn Class, John represented Australia in five America's Cups and two Olympic Games.
John's leadership of the Australia II team saw the victory voted by Sport Australia Hall of Fame as the 'greatest team performance in the 200 years of Australian sport'.
In more than 25 years of America's Cup campaigning, he was involved in all areas of activity from Skipper of Australia II to Chairman of Australia's 1995 America's Cup entry OneAustralia.
In 1984, John was made a member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his services to yachting, was inducted into the prestigious America's Cup Hall of Fame in 1993, received the Australian Sports Medal in 2000 for outstanding achievement in the America's Cup and sailing and the Centenary Medal in 2001 for his service to Australia through the sport of sailing.
John is Chairman of the Sport Australia Hall of Fame and Chairman of selectors of the Australian Olympic Sailing Team.
‘GOLDEN GIRLS’ – ELISE RECHICHI & TESSA PARKINSON
‘Golden Girls’ Elise Rechichi and Tessa Parkinson, the Women’s 470 gold medallists at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, have become Ambassadors for the Perth 2011 ISAF Sailing World Championships.
Elise Rechichi and Tessa Parkinson joined forced in 2003. Their early results included winning gold at the ISAF Youth and 420 World Championships and 470 Junior Championships. They realised their dream of representing Australia at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and winning gold for their country, being the youngest Australian team members at the Olympic sailing venue in Qingdao.
JESSICA WATSON JOINS THE TEAM
Solo around the world sailor, Jessica Watson, has become the “face” of the Perth 2011 ISAF Sailing World Championships. With determination and courage beyond her years, Jessica became a national hero and was an obvious choice to support Perth 2011.
“Securing the World Championships is a wonderful coup for the sport of sailing in Australia. It’s an honour to be an ambassador for such a prestigious international event, which I hope will encourage more people to take up sailing in Western Australia,” Jessica said.
Perth 2011 hopes that Jessica’s involvement will help to reach a young demographic and those unfamiliar with the sport of sailing.
Jessica was named “Young Australian of the Year” in January 2011.
TIM BAILEY - AMBASSADOR, NSW
Tim Bailey, one of Sydney’s most recognisable faces, has signed on as an Ambassador for the Perth 2011 ISAF Sailing World
Tim is a journalist, television and radio presenter who has worked with Network TEN and 2Day-FM for the past 16 years. He is currently the weather presenter on TEN’s First at Five News team in Sydney, a position he has held since
He has hosted various shows on Network TEN including NRG (surfing), Chilli Factor (extreme sport), The Big Breakfast (cartoon-kids), Airtime (basketball) and the Vodafone Beach Volleyball Tour. He has also covered the Commonwealth Games, six Melbourne Cups, Bathurst and the Indy Car
Not foreign to Australian waters and the sport of sailing, he has competed in four Sydney to Hobart yacht races.and is a keen surfer and has competed in four Sydney to Hobart yacht races.
Bailey says he is excited to be involved in a World Championships of such prestige and to help generate awareness about the biggest international sailing event of the year.
“Bring on the clearest of blue skies. Bring on favourable winds. Bring on the unique atmosphere of Australians chasing their Olympic dreams.”
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Perth 2011 is pleased to welcome all its Ambassadors.