Each week, the CYCA will shine the spotlight on some of our great members. This week, we look at a member who has been described as ‘the perfect storm’ and has won the CYCA Ocean Navigator of the Year award twice in 2010 and 2018.
Will Oxley is one of the world’s leading navigators for ocean racing, having sailed over 200,000nm including 5 round the world races and 19 of our very own Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Races. Will became a member of the CYCA in 2007 and has held continuous membership since that time.
Whilst his early career didn’t begin on yachts, it did involve the ocean, with Will working at the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) as a Marine Ecologist managing the Long Term Monitoring Program. This project is still ongoing and reporting regularly on the health of the Great Barrier Reef. Click here to find out more. After this, Will took on sailing full-time, and has been involved with Volvo Ocean Race and America’s Cup campaigns as well as writing several books on navigation. Will continues his interest in ocean health and sustainability through his membership in the World Sailing Sustainability Commission.
Will’s expertise has seen him win a number of ocean races and in 2019 he recorded an impeccable season, the highlight of which he described as wins at the Rolex Giraglia Race, Rolex Fastnet Race and the Rolex Sydney Hobart on three different boats; Coal Ila R, Wizard and Ichi Ban, respectively. These wins were amongst many more with Will also a part of World Sailing’s ‘Team of the Year’ – Wizard.
CYCA Member Since: 2007
Favourite CYCA memory: When we used to sail there! (Written in the time of COVID-19)
Proudest achievement: Well, having the good sense to marry my wife Sue and having two great children comes to mind first. As far as sailing is concerned, there have been a few sailing successes along the way. I have to say it’s been pretty cool to win the Hobart race twice with Matt Allen and the team on Ichi Ban: a real team effort leaving no stone unturned in our quest for success.
Bucket-list event still to attend/enter: Plenty! Barcelona World Race, Los Angeles-Tahiti and the new Sydney-Auckland race are three that come to mind.
Best thing about the CYCA: The offshore racing calendar (and the sailing office staff of course!)
Favourite sailing book/movie and why: South – the story of Shackelton’s 1914-1917 Expedition. Written by Shackleton. An inspirational leader and a real tale of survival!
Outside of sailing I…: If it was life then… travel adventures with my wife, cycling, swimming reading. (That is when he is not working with the World Sailing Sustainability Commission)
Advice to my younger self: Refuse to go to boarding school!
** Do you know a Club Member with a great story? Nominate them and send through some information about why you think they should be out next Members Spotlight. Send Nominations and associated information to media@cyca.com.au **
