Back from Beijing: Iain Murray recounts
From Star Class to superyachts, and many more interests in between, Iain Murray is Australia's best known sailing identity and fresh from reaching another career goal: sailing for his country in an Olympic Games.
'Iain Murray AM was recognised for his contribution to sailing, business and the community.'
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Ten times world champion, with celebrated success from the early 70s through until today - including 12 Sydney to Hobart Yacht races (a 1st place in 2001), winning the 1984 Etchells World Championship and taking part in four Americas Cups - Iain Murray AM, at 50, was the oldest Olympic debutant on the Australian team in Beijing.
Perhaps Australia's best known name in sailing, known to his mates as 'The Big Fella' - although he shed 20kg in the lead up to the Games - Murray manages to blend business with pleasure.
He is an exceptional sailor, competing for Australia with partner Andrew Palfrey in the Star Class for his first Olympics, and he has more than 40 years of experience under his belt, his passion for the sport igniting at nine years of age when he took up Flying Ant class at Middle Harbour.
Another facet of his business, Murlan Consulting involves design and building in areas of aged care, marinas, childcare and hotels. A current project is the design of a new yacht club for Hamilton Island, which owner and fellow yachtsman Bob Oatley says will rival the best in the world.
There's yet another hat: Murray is Principal of one of the country's most ambitious boat building brands, Azzura Marine, the umbrella company for Azzura Yacht, Marten Yacht and Sydney Yacht brands.
'It is a lot for one person,' he acknowledges, 'but it all works very well. Things are interrelated, although if you're serious about competing at Olympic level you have to devote yourself to it full-time.' 
Murray paired up with Andrew Palfrey in the most competitive class in world sailing, as Skipper of the two-man keel boat Star Class. A veteran of more Cups and World Championships that almost anybody, Murray says it was his life-long ambition to represent Australia at an Olympics.
'I can now tick that off the list, but we were disappointed. We didn't do great. We had hoped to be in the top five.'
Offering no excuses and full of admiration for the competition, Murray says the conditions were not quite what they had expected. 'It was windier than we thought it would be and the wind was random. We set ourselves up for light breezes and the environment changed. Then we broke a mast. But conditions were the same for everybody.'
Crews were extremely high calibre. 'Every year, crews get better and better. Technology too. But Australian sailing can hold its head high. We are among the best in the world,' he says referring to the medal haul of three out of 11. 'We won two gold and one silver, which is a good result. I think we were expecting five, but among that level of competition, three is nothing to be ashamed of.'
Of the facilities, Murray is full of praise. 'There might be better places for sailing in China, which has some beautiful parts that are perfect for boating, but as far as facilities go, they were second to none.'
China, says Murray, certainly had its interest piqued in boating following the Beijing Games, where China took home medals in rowing, sailing and windsurfing, raising the profile of water sports even if audience rating figures reveal it was only slightly.
'It was good for boating,' Murray insists. 'There are some incredible places around China and new marinas under construction. China has a huge population and they will gradually take up boating. It's inevitable.'
As for competing in London, Murray doesn't rule it out, but is realistic. 'You have to dedicate your whole focus to sailing if you're going to compete at that level. At this stage, I have too many projects underway and too many commitments to train every day. I would love to compete in 2012, but we'll have to see in a couple of years.'
by Jeni Bone 
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Bermagui, NSW
