Ian 'Stripey' Grant AYF Media Person of the Year

by Rob Kothe on 2 Jun 2002 The Volvo Media Award has been awarded to Queensland-based Ian (Stripey) Grant who has been covering sailing tirelessly since 1963 in newspapers, radio and TV journalism and web site event coverage.

Sailing has been an obsession and passion for Ian 'Stripey' Grant from the age of 8 when he was adopted as the boat-shed boy polishing the mild steel centreboards and wool-tying spinnakers, balloon jibs and ringtails in Bulimba boat sheds.

The great skiff skippers Vic Lucas, Norman Wright Jnr and Lance Watts encouraged him to be part of their pre and post race activities promising a bailer-boy apprenticeship when he grew stronger and older.

His passion for the sport allowed him to bond with all of the skiff champions with the little known Len Johnston becoming his idol.

'Len Johnston was an inspiration to all sports people, he was a paraplegic and I can remember him walking on his hands and trailing his limp legs behind as he lashed the boom and gaff tensions on his 12 ft skiff Dove then skipper the 20 old boat to win the 1947-48 Australian Championship'.

'I wrote a special 'Kids' account of this amazing sporting achievement which was published in the local paper'.

Being part of that boat shed atmosphere remains as the most significant highlight in a career spanning almost 60 years of active involvement with the sport.

There are other proud moments including being the 'bailerboy' when Culex 111 beat Bill Barnett's Myra for the Australian 18ft skiff title in 1949 and crewing with Norman Wright Jnr to win the 1960 Brisbane-Gladstone Race with the former Captain John Illingworth owned yawl Mouse of Malham and being part of 'Rughead' Miller's shore support when he changed the 18ft skiff class by skippering his controversial three-hander Venom to win the 1961 JJ Giltinan World title on the Brisbane River.

'Rughead' gifted with exceptional talent changed world sporting history for ever when the same person who all us Brisbane River 'rats' knew as Bob Miller became Ben Lexcen and helped Australia win the Americas Cup'.

Maturity and marriage to the 'Child-bride' Marie Smith in June 1960 paved the way for 'Stripey' to first become a stringer and then a qualified sporting journalist with Queensland Newspapers where he covered Hockey and Rugby League in the winter months and sailing during the summer.

From 1963 to the present day the lifestyle of a dedicated sailing journalist has been totally involved with reporting for the sport.

During this time he has covered 16 various class world championships and 77 National championships, Olympic selection trials and numerous other major regattas including the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Stripey first covered the Brisbane to Gladstone race 38 years ago and seen the event grow in stature ever since

Totally dedicated to promoting the sport of sailing, he has have been involved as the media consultancy with Hamilton Island and Hog's Breath Race Week regatta's since their inception.

He has been involved with southern events including the Sydney 2000 Olympics, the Telstra Cup and the Sydney to Hobart and Melbourne to Hobart races.

Over the years Stripey, with his encyclopaedic memory, his sense of history and his smile has become the face and voice of sailing for much of Australia.

He is regularly heard on more than 69 radio stations, 'I've got a great head for Radio' says Stripey.

Born in the early days of the the radio valve, 'Stripey' has taken to the booming new media which now days provides much of the sailing news around the world.

In the last few years Ian has worked closely with Sail-World.com & Sailing-online, setting new standards for sailing and boating event coverage.

'Stripey' will be accepting his award at the 2002 Australian Yachting Awards Presentation on the evening of 8 June 2002. The gala event will be held at the Dockside, Cockle Bay Wharf, Sydney.

Tickets are available now from the AYF office. Book early to avoid disappointment!