Matt Bugg

Matt Bugg has achieved outstanding performances in National and International sailing competitions whilst using the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania and Derwent Sailing Squadron as his daily performance environment. Alongside coach Richard Scarr, Matt worked hard to achieve his sailing performance goals in the demanding world of Paralympic sport delving into technical aspects of the 2.4 metre that had not been previously analysed or capitalised on.

Matt’s record in Open Australian 2.4 National Championships is truly incomparable. Internationally, Matt attended all the important regattas with the knowledge and experience he gained seeing his ranking remain in the top three in the world for a large portion of his career.

Between 2015 and 2018 Matt had a purple patch of form finishing on the podium in all five major benchmark events over this period. At the 2015 World Championships in Melbourne, Matt won the bronze medal, a feat he replicated in 2016 in Medemblik, Netherlands. Later that year Matt was selected for the 2016 Rio Paralympics in which he won a silver medal, an incredible achievement.

In 2017, Matt’s good form continued with a silver medal at the World Championships in Kiel, Germany. In his final World Championships before retirement in 2018, Matt finally won that elusive gold medal by taking out the World Championships in Sheboygan, USA.

Matt’s behaviour throughout his time as an elite athlete was characterised by inclusion, fairness and an understanding that Champions are created on and off the water.

Matt is an inspiration to young and old in the boat park, with his dedication to his sailing matched only by his dedication to his young family.