MORNINGTON Yacht Club (MYC), in partnership with the Ocean Racing Club of Victoria (ORCV), will host a historic Ocean Racing Panel on Friday 30 January 2026, celebrating one of the most remarkable careers in Victorian offshore sailing.
The event will feature Graeme Taylor, whose achievements place him among the most accomplished ocean racers the state has produced, and whose influence has helped shape offshore sailing culture for more than three decades.
Taylor has competed in 29 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Races, claimed nine Line Honours victories, an overall win and a race record, and has twice been named Australian Sailing Victoria Male Sailor of the Year. More recently, he has added back-to-back Etchells World Championship titles (2024 and 2025) with Team Magpie, alongside more than 35 international and national podium finishes.
A defining moment in his offshore career came in 2003, when he was part of the Skandia crew that claimed Line Honours in the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. It’s a victory that remains historic as the only Mornington-crewed yacht ever to achieve the feat. Skandia, now known as Wild Thing, was designed by Don Jones and built by Hart Marine in Mornington. Launched in 2003 for owner and skipper Grant Wharington, the yacht went on to become one of the most formidable performers on the international offshore circuit, representing the cutting edge of Australian composite design and construction at the time.
Across his career, Taylor has sailed aboard some of the most iconic yachts in offshore racing history, including helming Master Lock Comanche and racing as part of elite teams on Black Jack, Wild Oats. His story reflects not only personal excellence, but the depth of high-performance sailing talent that continues to emerge from Victoria.
The timing of the event is especially fitting. The most recent Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race marked the 80th running of the classic, while 2026 also celebrates the 80th anniversary of Mornington Yacht Club. This milestone year coincides with Taylor once again claiming Line Honours on Master Lock Comanche, highlighting both the longevity of his career and the enduring strength of Victorian sailors on the world stage.
Joining Taylor on stage will be Cameron McKenzie, co-skipper of Ginan, who secured a podium finish in their division in last year’s Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. McKenzie was also named Ocean Racing Club of Victoria Ocean Racer of the Year for 2025. He will be joined by Stuart Hutchison, a long-time crew member on Hong Kong based Antipodes, Hutchison, a former Mount Martha Yacht Club Commodore, brings decades of experience competing at the highest level of ocean racing.
The discussion will be moderated by Melissa Warren, MYC Sailing Manager and ORCV Next Gen Lead, herself a two-time Sydney to Hobart competitor and the first Black female to contest the race. Warren will guide the conversation through the defining moments, decisions and lessons that underpin elite ocean-racing careers.
“This event is a reminder that some of the greatest talent in our sport is right here in Victoria,” MYC Commodore, Andrew Parker said. “We often look elsewhere for heroes, when in reality our legends are sailing out of the same harbours, training at the same clubs, and contributing quietly to the strength of our community. To have Graeme Taylor in Mornington at this moment in history is something truly special.”
The event will be held in the Mornington Yacht Club Function Room, commencing at 7:00pm following the Member’s Draw. Attendance is free for MYC and ORCV members, with non-member tickets available for $10.
The Ocean Racing Panel is proudly supported by the Ocean Racing Club of Victoria, Victoria’s only dedicated ocean racing club.
Bookings are essential via TryBooking: www.trybooking.com/DISME
First published in the Mornington News – 27 January 2026
