Rob Mundle OAM is an Australian yachtsman, maritime commentator and author.
He is the author of some 19 books,[1] six of which have become best sellers, including Captain James Cook: from Sailor to Legend; Fatal Storm: The 54th Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race; Bligh: Master Mariner; and Flinders: The Man Who Mapped Australia.[2] Since publishing those biographies Mundle is regarded as a contemporary authority on James Cook, William Bligh and Mathew Flinders.[3][4][5]
Mundle began sailing as a boy.[6] After finishing school he became a cadet journalist at The Australian newspaper, which led to a career as a noted nautical commentator in print, radio and television[7][8][9][10] and to him becoming known as 'the voice of sailing'.[11]
Since the 1980s he has covered the America's Cup, sailing in the Olympics and the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race,[12] on which he is regarded as an authority.[13]
Mundle is credited with introducing the Laser and J24 class boats into Australia.[14] From 2011 to 2013 he was Commodore of Southport Yacht Club.[14]
In 2000 Mundle was award the Australian Sports Medal for services to sailing in the media;[15] and in 2013 was awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for services to sailing and to journalism.[16][17]