MHYC: The First 60 Years

Published: 1999

Matt Hayes grew up on the waterfront at Clontarf. His father, Neil was a well-known Hood sailor. At an early age, Matt formed a sailing school at the family home. The school, Sydney by Sail, is now established at the Australian National Maritime Museum at Darling Harbour. It includes a yacht charter business.

Matt is one of the world's top Soling sailors. He finished second in the match racing world titles in 1994, third in the fleet World titles the following year, second at Kiel in 1995, and second at Spa in 1996. He represented Australia in the Soling class at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, a feat he aims to repeat in Sydney 2000. He is one of Australia's top ocean racers, representing Australia as helmsman of Ragamufiin in the 1997 Admiral's Cup and the Kenwood Cup.