Lindsay May
 | A major contributor to this article appears to have a close connection with its subject. (September 2023) |
 Lindsay May at the start of the 2023 Rolex Fastnet Race | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Lindsay Bruce May |
Lindsay Bruce May OAM is an Australian sailor, known for his achievements in offshore yacht racing including 3 Overall Wins & 1 Line Honours win in the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race as well as holding the record for the most consecutive races sailed.[1][2][3]
As an offshore sailor & navigator, May has sailed in many of the world's most regarded regattas & races including the Admirals Cup, World 8 Metre Championships, Sydney to Hobart Race, Fastnet Race,[4] China Sea Race, Transpac Race and the Newport to Bermuda Race.
Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race[edit]
In the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, May is regarded as one of the veterans of the race having won line honours and been an overall winner of the prestigious race three times. May sailed his first race in 1973 and has completed a record 50 consecutive races[5] between 1973 & 2023.[6] As a well regarded figure, May has written, contributed or been featured in many media articles[7][8][9] including The New York Times.[10][11]
In the 1993 race, May was aboard the yacht Atara[12] that rescued sailor John Quinn[13] who had been washed overboard and spent nearly 6 hours in the Tasman Sea.
In 2006, May skippered Simon Kurts' 1973 Sparkman & Stevens S&S 47 Love & War to victory as overall winner.[14][15][16] This win equalled the overall record for a yacht with Love & War becoming only the second yacht to win the race three times (1974, 1978 and 2006). [citation needed]
Recognition[edit]
In May 2007, Seahorse International Yachting Magazine introduced May in to their Hall of Fame as Sailor of the Month,[17] recognising his victory in the 2006 race.
In 2017, May was awarded an Order of Australia Medal for service to sailing, and to health and social welfare groups in the 2017 Australia Day Honours[18][19]
Notable Races[edit]
In the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race May has achieved 3 Overall Wins on Handicap and 1 Line Honours Win.[20][21]
| Year | Title | Victory | Vessel | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race | Overall Winner | Indian Pacific | Navigator |
| 1991 | Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race | Overall Winner | Atara | Navigator |
| 1997 | Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race | Line Honours | Brindabella | Navigator |
| 2006 | Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race | Overall Winner | Love & War | Skipper & Navigator |
Sydney to Hobart Race - Individual Results[edit]
At the completion of the 2023 Sydney to Hobart Race May became the first sailor to compete in 50 consecutive Sydney to Hobart Races having sailed on Antipodes in his 50th race.[22][6]
| Year | Yacht | Handicap Placing | Line Honours Placing | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Onya of Gosford | 23rd | 25th | |
| 1974 | Onya of Gosford | 39th | 53rd | |
| 1975 | Dancing Mouse | 13th | 67th | |
| 1976 | Geronimo | 24th | 11th | |
| 1977 | Geronimo | Retired | ||
| 1978 | Deception | 8th | 8th | |
| 1979 | Deception | 39th | 34th | |
| 1980 | Adrenalin | 18th | 18th | |
| 1981 | Once More Dear Friends | 22nd | 11th | |
| 1982 | Once More Dear Friends | 7th | 31st | |
| 1983 | Once More Dear Friends | 2nd | 30th | |
| 1984 | Indian Pacific | 1st | 4th | |
| 1985 | Another Concubine | 13th | 35th | |
| 1986 | Szechwan | 5th (IOR) | 23rd | |
| 1987 | Phoenix Contractors | 43rd (IOR) | 49th | |
| 1988 | Madelines Daughter | Retired | ||
| 1989 | Madelines Daughter | 5th (IOR) | 11th | |
| 1990 | Madelines Daughter | Retired | ||
| 1991 | Atara | 1st (IOR) | 11th | |
| 1992 | Atara | 3rd (IOR) | 16th | |
| 1993 | Atara | Retired | ||
| 1994 | Brindabella | 18th (IMS) | 2nd | |
| 1995 | Brindabella | 30th (IMS) | 2nd | |
| 1996 | Brindabella | Retired | ||
| 1997 | Brindabella | 9th (IMS) | 1st | |
| 1998 | Brindabella | 9th (IMS) | 2nd | |
| 1999 | Brindabella | 2nd (IMS) | 2nd | |
| 2000 | Brindabella | Retired | ||
| 2001 | Brindabella | 13th (IMS) | 7th | |
| 2002 | Brindabella | 27th (IMS) 31st (IRC) | 6th | |
| 2003 | Love & War | 12th (IMS) | 41st | |
| 2004 | Love & War | 7th (IRC) | 24th | |
| 2005 | Conergy | Retired | ||
| 2006 | Love & War | 1st (IRC) | 32nd | |
| 2007 | Swan Song | 32nd (IRC) | 35th | |
| 2008 | ASM Shockwave 5 | 10th (IRC) | 4th | |
| 2009 | Love & War | 24th (IRC) | 71st | |
| 2010 | Brindabella | Retired | ||
| 2011 | Strewth | 30th (IRC) | 16th | |
| 2012 | Love & War | 15th (IRC) | 54th | |
| 2013 | Brindabella | 8th (PHS) | 17th | |
| 2014 | Love & War | 7th (IRC) | 74th | |
| 2015 | Brindabella | Retired | ||
| 2016 | Love & War | 15th (IRC) | 61st | |
| 2017 | Kialoa II | 56th (IRC) | 68th | |
| 2018 | Kialoa II | 38th (IRC) | 35th | |
| 2019 | Love & War | 64th (IRC) | 108th | |
| 2020 | Race cancelled due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.[23] | |||
| 2021 | Kialoa II | Retired | ||
| 2022 | Kialoa II | 44th (IRC) | 34th | [24] |
| 2023 | Antipodes | 39th (IRC) | 13th | [25] |
References[edit]
- ^ "May ready to extend Sydney-Hobart streak". 7NEWS. 22 December 2021. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
- ^ "May sets sights on 50 Sydney-Hobart races". SBS News. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
- ^ "Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race Statistics – 1945 – 2022" (PDF). Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
- ^ "Rolex Fastnet Race 2023 - Kialoa II's navigator Lindsay May explains the critical decision points". www.sail-world.com. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
- ^ "Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race - Historical Facts". www.rolexsydneyhobart.com. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
- ^ a b Eder, Billie (19 December 2023). "Onya, Lindsay: Meet the first sailor to compete in 50 consecutive Sydney to Hobarts". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
- ^ "May ready to extend Sydney-Hobart streak". The Canberra Times. 22 December 2021. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
- ^ Decent, Tom (20 December 2018). "Favourable conditions set to greet Sydney to Hobart competitors". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
- ^ Thomas, Charlotte (19 July 2023). "Aussies chasing Fastnet glory". Ocean Magazine. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
- ^ Schmidt, David (23 December 2022). "The Sydney Hobart Is a Dream to Win and Formidable to Navigate". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
- ^ Schmidt, David (23 December 2019). "How to Race the Sydney Hobart? Break It Into Its Parts". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
- ^ "Lindsay May - 40 Not Out and Going for 50". rolexsydneyhobart.com. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
- ^ McNicol, D.D. (24 December 2012). "All's fair on Love & War as old firm reunites for Hobart". The Australian. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
- ^ "Love and War wins handicap honours". ABC News. 29 December 2006. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
- ^ "Love & War wins the 2006 Rolex Sydney Hobart". rolexsydneyhobart.com. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
- ^ Fisher, Bob (30 December 2006). "Love and War set for third Hobart victory". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
- ^ "Seahorse Sailor of the Month Hall of Fame Seahorse Magazine". mail.seahorsemagazine.com. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
- ^ "Australia Day 2017 Honours List" (PDF). 26 January 2017. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
- ^ NSW, Sport. "NSW sportspeople recognised in Australia Day Honours". www.sportnsw.com.au. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
- ^ "Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2023". www.rolexsydneyhobart.com. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
- ^ "Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2023". rolexsydneyhobart.com. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
- ^ "Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2022 - The Yachts - Kialoa II". rolexsydneyhobart.com. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
- ^ "NSW coronavirus outbreak forces first Sydney to Hobart yacht race cancellation in 76-year history". ABC News. 19 December 2020. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
- ^ "Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race - Results". rolexsydneyhobart.com. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
- ^ "Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2023". rolexsydneyhobart.com. Retrieved 21 February 2024.