Hamilton Island backs the next wave of Australian skiff talent

Australian Sailing Team Skiff © Sail Media Manly 16s

The Australian Sailing Team (AST) 16ft Skiff is set to line up in the iconic Port Jackson Championship this weekend, hosted by the Manly 16ft Skiff Sailing Club (Manly 16s).

Throughout the season, the AST 16ft Skiff will feature a rotating crew line-up including Australian Sailing National and Futures Squad athletes, giving sailors from stages of the performance pathway the opportunity to experience competitive skiff racing on home waters.

The new AST 16ft Skiff proudly carries the Hamilton Island logo, a powerful symbol of the long-standing commitment of Hamilton Island and the Oatley family to the AST, both through direct sponsorship and the AST Patrons Program.

The Oatley family's connection with the AST is one of remarkable longevity and unwavering support. Sandy Oatley has served as Patron of the Team across five Olympic Games, continuing the legacy of his late father, Bob Oatley AO, whose patronage spanned three Olympic Games.

Through their ongoing patronage and Hamilton Island's previous sponsorship of the AST, the Oatley family have supported generations of Australian sailors in their pursuit of Olympic success.

Most recently, the partnership was on display during the Palm Beach Motor Yachts Trans-Tasman 49er / 49erFX exhibition series, where Hamilton Island hosted our 49er and 49erFX National and Futures athletes for a two-week training camp on the Island, culminating in a thrilling showdown between the Australian and New Zealand skiff teams in Dent Passage, right in front of an enthusiastic Hamilton Island Race Week 2025 crowd.

Australian Sailing CEO, Olympic gold medallist and 16ft Skiff sailor Malcolm Page said the partnership with Hamilton Island represents far more than a logo on a sail.

"Over the years, Hamilton Island's support has been instrumental in helping our athletes take their programs to the next level," Page said. "The Oatley family's ongoing commitment to Australian Sailing provides our athletes with the resources and support they need to step up their campaigns."

Hamilton Island CEO Nick Dowling said the partnership is built on a shared passion for high-performance sailing and a commitment to Australia's sailing future.

"Hamilton Island and the Oatley family have a decades-long commitment to Australian Sailing," said Dowling. "With LA28 and the Brisbane 2032 just over the horizon we are delighted to support the Australian Sailing Team and performance skiff sailing. This is a wonderful community of inspiring young sportspeople whose passion and values align with our own."

With the Hamilton Island logo once again flying proudly around Sydney Harbour, this collaboration celebrates a shared passion for Australian sailing, a commitment to its legacy, and the pursuit of Olympic excellence.