Seamanship and Fellowship
In recognition of Tom Anderson
Dragon
Tom Anderson, Australian Olympic Gold medalist in 1972, and long time member of, and contributor to, the Australian yachting community passed away earlier this week after a long illness.
Anderson won Gold at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games in the Dragon class, sailing alongside John Cuneo and John Shaw.
At the same Olympics Tom’s twin brother John won Gold in the Star class making the Anderson’s the only twin brothers to win sailing Gold medals at the same Olympic Games but in different classes.
Tom had previously competed at the 1968 Mexico Olympic Games, finishing fifth in the Dragon class, and also had success in winning two Prince Phillip Cups in the Dragon during the 1960s.
“Tom was a great competitor across a number of classes and he excelled at the highest level for many years, evident in his two Olympic appearances and Gold medal in 1972,” said Yachting Australia President Andrew Plympton. “He will be missed by many in the sport and on behalf of Yachting Australia I’d like to pass on our condolences to his family at this time.”
The Anderson’s began sailing together as teenagers and initially competed as a crew in a Flying Dutchman in the early 1960s.
Tom had also competed in a number of Sydney to Hobart races and was a Life Member of the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron.