Bill Northam

[1] Northam took up the sport of sailing late in life, at the age of 46, after taking the helm of a neighbour's boat near his waterfront home on Sydney's Northern Beaches, and comparing the feeling to that of car racing.[2] With fellow Gretel yachtsmen Peter 'Pod' O'Donnell and James Sargeant, both more than 30 years younger than him, Northam took Barrenjoey to a successful run of the 1964 Australian titles, the Olympic trials and further challenge races, until the team qualified for the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, despite misgivings about Northam's age, now 59.Northam marched in the opening ceremony with his son Rod, who was a reserve member of the rowing team.[1] The Australian team competed in the 5.5 metre class, starting well with wins in the first, fourth and sixth races, although they were disqualified in the fifth.In a fierce race for first place against Swedish boat Rush VII, McNamara was disqualified, and Northam and his crew finished fourth, qualifying them for the gold medal.
sailingAustraliaOlympic Games1964 Tokyo5.5 metre classTorquaypharmaceutical companyJohnson & JohnsonSlazengerNorthern BeachesRoyal Sydney Yacht SquadronSydney to Hobart Yacht RaceGretelSir Frank PackerAmerica's CupBill Luders Jr.Barrenjoey Head LighthousePeter 'Pod' O'DonnellJames Sargeant1964 Summer OlympicsJohn J. McNamaraNorthern Suburbs Crematorium, SydneyFather of the YearCommander of the Order of the British EmpireKnight BachelorAOC Olympic MeritSport Australia Hall of FameAustralian Sailing Hall of FameWayback MachineAustralian Olympic CommitteeWorld SailingOlympics.comOlympediaChanceSchoettleE. WhiteS. WhiteThörnKarlssonO'DonnellSargeantU. SundelinJ. SundelinP. Sundelin