Aussie Olympian Hits Century: Gordon Ingate Turns 100

Australian Sailing Legend Gordon Ingate Celebrates a Century of Life and a Lifetime on the Water

Australia’s oldest living Olympian, the legendary yachtsman Gordon Ingate, has achieved a remarkable milestone, celebrating his 100th birthday. While his Olympic journey finally took flight at the 1972 Munich Games, it was a path fraught with near misses and thwarted ambitions, a testament to his enduring spirit and a career spanning decades.

Ingate, fondly known in sailing circles as “Wingnut,” finally graced the Olympic stage at the age of 46. Competing in the Tempest Class alongside his crewmate Robert Thornton, they secured a 19th-place finish in Munich. This position, while not a podium finish, was notable for being the lowest among all Australian sailors at that particular Games, a year when Australian yachtsmen shone brightly, clinching two gold medals and topping the sailing medal tally.

Interestingly, Ingate’s Munich opponent in his class was none other than the Prince of Thailand, Prinz Bhanubanda Bira. This wasn’t the only royal presence at those Games; Bira was joined by Crown Prince Harald of Norway (who finished 10th in the Soling Class) and the then-exiled King Juan Carlos I of Spain (15th in the Dragon Class). Even Jacques Rogge, who would later become President of the International Olympic Committee, was a competitor, finishing 14th in the Finn Class.

However, the Munich Games represented Ingate’s third qualification for the Olympics. His earlier opportunities, in 1948 and 1952, were cruelly denied by his employer. Working for the company that manufactured gearboxes for the nascent Holden motor cars, Ingate faced an insurmountable obstacle in securing the necessary time off.

“I won the right to represent Australia in the London Olympics, and back then you had to get a ship, so I needed up to six months off work to get to England, compete and return home,” Ingate recounted in a recent interview with the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC). His request to his Swedish boss was met with a blunt refusal. “No way, son, get back to work!” was the unsympathetic response that dashed the 22-year-old’s Olympic dreams.

Four years later, with the Games heading to Helsinki, Ingate again sought leave. This time, air travel was an option, but his boss remained unmoved. “I need a month off, sir,” Ingate recalled asking. The reply was just as curt: “No bloody way, son, get back to work!” The intervening four years had done nothing to soften the hard-nosed employer’s stance.

It would take another two decades before Ingate’s dedication and talent finally aligned with opportunity, allowing him to fulfil his Olympic aspirations.

Born in Sydney in 1926, Ingate’s lifelong love affair with the sea began at the tender age of nine, when he joined the Sea Scouts. This early immersion in maritime pursuits ignited a passion that has burned brightly throughout his life, leading him to compete and achieve victories well into his nineties.

His prowess in the Dragon Class is legendary, having clinched the Australian Championship title an impressive four times, with his most recent victory at the age of 94 making him the oldest champion in the sport’s history. Ingate’s versatility is evident in his participation across a wide spectrum of sailing disciplines.

He skippered ‘Caprice of Huon’ to a commendable second place in the prestigious 1965 Admiral’s Cup, and later guided the same vessel to another second-place finish in the gruelling 1972 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. His impressive resume also includes helming ‘Gretel II’ during its challenge for the America’s Cup in 1977, a testament to his skill at the highest echelons of competitive sailing.

The profound impact of Gordon Ingate on Australian sailing is widely acknowledged. Matt Allen, Vice President of the AOC and a fellow accomplished sailor, spoke of Ingate’s significant influence. “Gordon Ingate has had a huge influence in sailing over many decades and classes and is very well respected both in Australia and internationally,” Allen stated. “His sailing spans from the Munich 1972 Olympics in the Tempest Class to the Dragon Class, Sydney to Hobart races, the Admiral’s Cup and America’s Cup.”

Allen further highlighted Ingate’s inspirational qualities, noting, “He has been an inspiration to all sailors due to his love of life, sense of humour and the fact that he was still winning races and regattas well into his 90s. Gordon was the face of the inaugural Olympian’s Oath when he said at the end of the oath, with so much gravitas: ‘Once an Olympian always an Olympian’. On behalf of the Olympic Movement, congratulations on your 100th birthday, Gordon.”

Malcolm Page, CEO of Australian Sailing, also paid heartfelt tribute to the centenarian. “Gordon represents the very best of our sport,” Page commented. “His passion, curiosity and commitment to sailing have spanned a century, inspiring countless Australians along the way. To reach 100 years of age as Australia’s oldest living Olympian is an incredible milestone, but it is the legacy he has built, through perseverance, innovation and a lifelong love of sailing that will stand the test of time.”