Please select your home edition
Edition
Armstrong 728x90 - HA Foil Range - TOP

Australian Sailing mourns passing of John Cuneo OAM

by Michael Martin 3 Jun 2020 22:39 PDT
John Cuneo OAM © Natasha Hoppner

Australian Sailing is today mourning the loss of one of the legends of our sport, John Cuneo OAM.

John was one of Australia's most decorated sailors. He won National Championships in the Sharpie and lightweight Sharpie classes in the 50's and 60's, the 505 class in 1966 and the International Dragon class in 1968/69 before helming Wyuna to Olympic Gold in the International Dragon class at the Munich 1972 Olympic Games.

"John's contribution to sailing in Australia cannot be underestimated," said Australian Sailing President Daniel Belcher.

"He competed against the best in the world in some of the most competitive classes and beat them all. This was at a time where many of our international sailing champions were self-funded, and it is now legend that John's crew won Olympic gold with a set of sails discarded by the Canadian team not long before the Games."

Cuneo was a Life Member of the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron, with his nephew Barry Cuneo now serving as the club's Commodore.

"Australia has lost one of the greatest sailors ever produced in this country, but his legacy of perfection and determination to succeed lives on in perpetuity with all those he has touched or met." said Barry today.

John was awarded his Barranjoey pin in a moving ceremony at RQYS in 2018, where Barry said "He got that glint back in his eye."

"John came back to his old self in a way. I was saying to him 'You were unbeatable, you won everything, you were an inspiration to everyone' and he just smiled back and said 'And you never won anything!'

In 1974, Cuneo was designated as helmsman of 'Southern Cross' in the America's Cup. At the last moment he was replaced but sailed as tactician in the 3rd and 4th heats. In 1980, Cuneo was appointed as the Olympics Yachting Coach. In all he won over 60 Championships in eight different classes.

Cuneo was inducted to the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1986, the Queensland Sport Hall of Fame in 2009, was amongst the second group of inductees to the Australian Sailing Hall of Fame in 2018 (along with Munich teammates Tom Anderson and John Shaw) and was awarded an OAM in June 2018 for his service to sailing.

Australian Sailing passes on its condolences to John's family and all of those he touched in his time. John is survived by his loving wife Sylvia, sons Ross, David, Bill and Ian and their families.

Related Articles

Bronze breakthrough for Liddell and Brown
Nacra 17 duo claim their first international podium at Kieler Woche Brin Liddell and Rhiannan Brown have claimed their first international podium in the Nacra 17 class, securing bronze at Kieler Woche, the third Sailing Grand Slam event of the season. Posted today at 1:34 am
Aussies Break into Top 10 at Kieler Woche
Put to the test from light air to heavy breeze The first half of Kieler Woche has wrapped up in Germany, with Australian sailors putting themselves to the test in five Olympic classes. Kiel delivered a complete spectrum of conditions for athletes to sharpen their racing skills. Posted on 26 Jun
Vale Hugh Treharne OAM
The Australian sailing community is mourning the passing of one of its greatest contributors The Australian sailing community is mourning the passing of one of its greatest contributors, Hugh Treharne OAM, who died peacefully surrounded by his loving family in Sydney last night. Posted on 25 Jun
Australian Sailors ready to tackle Kiel Week
The third event within the five event Sailing Grand Slam Australia's Olympic class sailors are set to tackle Kiel Week, the third event within the five event Sailing Grand Slam, held in the north of Germany. Posted on 21 Jun
Zhik and Australian Sailing renew partnership
For a fourth Olympic cycle Zhik and Australian Sailing are proud to celebrate over a decade of partnership, one built on innovation, elite performance and podium success. Since 2013, the collaboration has helped deliver four Olympic gold medals and four silver medals. Posted on 20 Jun
Top 10 finishes for Aussie crews in Europeans
Australia's 49er, 49erFX and Nacra 17 sailors have wrapped up a demanding week in Greece Australia's 49er, 49erFX and Nacra 17 sailors have wrapped up a demanding European Championships in Thessaloniki, Greece, with light winds, lengthy delays, and multiple general recalls pushing teams to their limits throughout the week. Posted on 9 Jun
Young Aussie squad ready to shine at Europeans
Australia's fast boat sailors are set for the 49er, 49erFX and Nacra 17 Europeans in Greece Australia's fast boat sailors are set to take on the 49er, 49erFX and Nacra 17 European Championships this week in Thessaloniki, Greece. With up to 18 races scheduled over the next six days, it's set to be a high-intensity regatta. Posted on 2 Jun
Event updates dominate this week's industry news
A summary of news relevant to businesses across Oceania The 36th annual Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show (SCIBS) has once again cemented its status as the Southern Hemisphere's premier marine event, drawing an impressive 45,865 visitors over four spectacular days from 22-25 May. Posted on 29 May
Whitehead finish 9th at Formula Kite Europeans
A confident return to international competition in Urla, Türkiye Australia's Breiana Whitehead has made a confident return to international competition, finishing ninth overall at the 2025 Formula Kite European Championships in Urla, Türkiye. Posted on 20 May
Littlewood claims bronze in ILCA7 Worlds
It was a tale of two winds that decided the World Champions Zac Littlewood has claimed a bronze medal at the ILCA 7 World Championships in Qingdao, China, after an intense and unpredictable week of racing. Posted on 17 May
Exposure MarineZhik 2024 DecemberV-DRY-X