| Lindsay May | |
| 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.
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).
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]
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 |
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]
| 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] | |