Barranjoey to Bertrand
Australian sailing legend John Bertrand AO has been awarded with the Barranjoey Pin – marking a milestone in his storied career.
25 November 2025
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John Bertrand AO, best known for steering Australia to the iconic 1983 America’s Cup victory, has been presented with the Barranjoey Pin by two-time Olympic gold medallist Matt Wearn at the Australian Sailing Team (AST) camp in Melbourne.
The Barranjoey Pin, part of the Australian Sailing Team (AST) alumni program, celebrates Australia’s Olympic and Paralympic sailing achievements – and although the program was formalised in 2018, the first pins were bestowed for achievements dating back to 1948, with the latest, number 249, going to Ethan McAullay.
The pins are uniquely numbered and presented to every athlete who represented Australia at an Olympic-class World Championship, the IYRU Women’s Worlds, or the Olympic and Paralympic Games prior to 2006 – provided they finished in the top ten. Since 2006, all sailors inducted into Australian Sailing Team status have automatically received a Barranjoey Pin, celebrating both past and present contributions to Australia’s sailing success.
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Reflecting on his moment, Bertrand, an Olympic bronze medallist in the Finn class in 1976 said: “Well, talk about serendipity, my home club, the Australian Sailing Team on the road to Los Angeles, it’s pretty, it’s a beautiful thing.”
He added that although his America’s Cup triumph became his global calling card, it was his Olympic campaign that shaped the mindset behind that historic victory.
Probably three or four months after I won the bronze, it became clear to me I believed I could have won the gold just as easily if I was mentally tougher.
“And in hindsight, that was the important part of winning the America’s Cup because it led me on the road to the whole world of resilience, sports psychology, the power of the minds, just as importantly as the thousands of hours you do out on the racetrack for training,” he said.
Today, Bertrand received pin number 47, the same number as his Etchell bow number, with his granddaughter, who had her first day on the job at Royal Brighton Yacht Club, in attendance.
Drawing on the wisdom and presence that have defined his career, Bertrand helped open the AST camp with a powerful message to the next generation of Australian sailing talent. He urged them to take ownership of their journey, make the most of every resource at their disposal, and be ready to deliver their absolute best when it matters most.
He also left them with a reminder that cut straight to the heart of Olympic competition: “There’s nowhere to hide in the Olympic Games. The lessons are very clear if you’re willing to study the areas of opportunity.”
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