By adding an America’s Cup title to his résumé, “JK” became the first sailor in the world to collect the sport’s “Grand Slam.” In addition to winning the America’s Cup, he previously skippered illbruck Challenge to a win in the round-the-world 2001-02 Volvo Ocean Race and won an Olympic silver medal at the 1988 Games, helming the three-man Soling class.
John’s sailing roots lie in the depths of San Francisco Bay. Growing up in San Rafael, he won his first world title, in the Sunfish class, right under the flight path to San Francisco International Airport. He knows the Bay’s intricate windy and tidal conditions well.
“We’re gonna have our hands full,” JK said. “All of the training we did in San Francisco is going to pay off at the Cascais America’s Cup World Series. We’re looking forward to a good regatta.”
Now in his sixth America’s Cup, John is an 11-time world champion in a range of one-design classes. His most recent championship came In February 2011 he won the Farr 40 World Championship as tactician aboard the Australian yacht Transfusion.
Career Highlights
2012:
- America’s Cup World Series San Francisco (October) Match Racing & Fleet Racing Championship, winner
- America’s Cup World Series San Francisco (August) Fleet Racing Championship, winner
- America’s Cup World Series San Francisco (August) Match Racing Championship, 2nd place
2011:
- America’s Cup World Series San Diego Match Racing Championship, winner
- America’s Cup World Series San Diego Fleet Racing Championship, winner
- America’s Cup World Series Plymouth Fleet Racing Championship, winner
- Farr 40 World Championship, Transfusion, winner
- America’s Cup World Series Cascais Overall Championship, 3rd place
2010:
- 33rd America’s Cup, BMW ORACLE Racing, winner
- RC 44 2010 World Championship, Yacht 17, winner
- International C Class Catamaran Championship, runner-up
2002:
- Volvo Ocean Race, illbruck Challenge, winner
2000:
- Louis Vuitton Cup, AmericaOne, finalist
1997-1998:
- Whitbread Round the World Race, Chessie Racing
1995:
- Louis Vuitton Cup Young America
1988:
- Soling World Champion
- Seoul Olympics Regatta, Soling class, Silver medalist
1986:
- Soling World Champion