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I was born into Christchurch’s yachting community with sailing competitions an integral part of my life from school days on. I was the New Zealand Yachtsman of the year in 1977 and again in 1987. I have competed in the Americas Cup three times; as tactician on board the New Zealand boat KZ1 in 1988, as the coach of the Spanish team in 1992, and as tactician for Chris Dicksons Tag Heuer Challenge in 1995. |
When the Spanish were eliminated early in 1992, I was asked to join the TVNZ commentary team for the rest of the Cup. I went on to work as a commentator for TVNZ at subsequent America’s Cups.
I have worked independently as a sailing consultant to individuals and to other nations such as South Korea, Qatar and Turkey.
I held the position of High Performance Manager at Yachting New Zealand; responsible for the New Zealand Olympic Sailing Academy programme, and most recently worked for the Aspire Academy in Doha, Qatar as Head Coach of the yachting team.
I have diverse interests beyond yachting, both in the range of sports my family are involved with, and in community and school affairs. I enjoy road cycling and have completed the Lake Taupo event in a respectable time. I am married with three sons.
You can contact me by leaving a comment in the blog – would be great to hear from you.
Experience
High Performance Director – Yachting New Zealand
- Responsible for the New Zealand Olympic Sailing Academy programme
Competitive yachtsman at the highest levels
- Winner OK Dinghy junior World Champion 1974
- Winner OK Dinghy open World Champion 1977
- Helmsmen of the 1987 Admirals Cup winner (World Champion)
- Skipper of the 1993 One Ton Cup winner (World Champion)
- Skippering the winning boats in the 1986 & 1990 Kenwood Cups
- New Zealand Yachtsman of the Year 1977 and 1987
- Competed in three America’s Cup campaigns 1988, 1992 and 1995
Commentator and yachting analyst
- Television commentator for the Television New Zealand for the Louis Vuitton Cups & America’s Cup 1992-2003
- Commentator for TWI for the 2006 Louis Vuitton Acts 10-12 Valencia, Spain
- Expert commentator for TWI-TVNZ for the Louis Vuitton Cup and America’s Cup 2007
