Every sport has its most recognizable athlete, and in sailing that man is Russell Coutts.
A four-time winner, Russell is the most successful skipper in the history of the America’s Cup. His 14-0 record in the 1995, 2000 and 2003 Cup matches is unmatched, lifting the trophy for each one of three different teams he has led.
Russell was a youth world champion in 1981, an Olympic Gold medalist in 1984 (in the physically demanding Finn singlehanded class), and won the first of his three match racing world championships in 1992. Twice he’s been named World Sailor of the Year (1995, 2003) by the International Sailing Federation.
Russell’s latest endeavor is his most challenging and demands more than just skill on the water. The team’s success in the 33rd America’s Cup has given him an opportunity to help transform the America’s Cup into a fan-friendly, sustainable event with strong youth growth.
The most recognizable aspect of that transformation is the introduction of high-speed, wingsailed catamarans as the boat of choice for the 34th Cup, and the America’s Cup World Series – Cascais will see the debut of the one-design AC45 in racing conditions.
“The AC45 is one of the central pieces in our effort to transform the Cup,” says Russell. “It will be used in the America’s Cup World Series through 2012, and will give new teams an important stepping stone in their development of wingsail, catamaran sailing.”
Russell earned an engineering degree from Auckland University, which he has applied to good use in the development of a new America’s Cup or grand-prix yacht. It also helped him conceive and co-design the RC 44, a one-design, monohull class that is raced throughout Europe.
Career Highlights
2011
- America’s Cup World Series Plymouth Fleet Racing Championship, 4th place
- America’s Cup World Series Plymouth Match Racing Championship, 3rd place
- America’s Cup World Series Cascais Match Racing Championship, 5th place
- America’s Cup World Series Cascais Overall Championship, 4th place
2010:
- 33rd America’s Cup, BMW ORACLE Racing, winner
- RC44 Season Tour, BMW ORACLE Racing, helmsman/tactician, winner
- RC44 World Championship, BMW ORACLE Racing, 2nd overall
- RC44 Copenhagen Cup, BMW ORACLE Racing, winner
- C44 Austria Cup, BMW ORACLE Racing, winner
2009:
- Extreme 40, Round the Island Race, 2nd place
- RC 44 Cagliari Cup, Fleet Race
- Louis Vuitton Pacific Series, Auckland, 3rd place
2008:
- RC44 Championship Tour, Banco Espirito Santo, tactician, winner
- RC 44 Puerto Calero Gold Cup, Fleet Racing, 2nd
- TP 52 World Championship, Puerto Calero, 4th
- Winner Friuli Venezia Giulia RC 44 Cup, Fleet Racing
- Winner RC 44 Malcesine SLAM Cup Match Racing
- Malcesine SLAM Cup Fleet Race, 2nd
- TP 52 Med Cup, Marseille, 1st
- Winner RC 44 Cagliari Cup Match Racing
- RC 44 Cagliari Cup Fleet Racing, 2nd
- Dubai RC44 Cup, 3rd
2007:
- TP52 Global Championship, Artemis, winner
2006:
- Farr 40 World Championship, winner
2003:
- 32nd America’s Cup, Alinghi, winner
2001:
- 12-Meter World Championship, South Australia, winner
2000:
- Farr 40 World Championship, winner
- 29th and 30th America’s Cup, Team New Zealand, winner
1996:
- 29th and 30th America’s Cup, Team New Zealand, winner
- Match Race World Champion
1995:
- 29th and 30th America’s Cup, Team New Zealand, winner
1993:
- Match Race World Champion
1992:
- Match Race World Champion
1984:
- Los Angeles Olympic Games, Finn, gold medallist
1981:
- ISAF Youth World Champion