Darren's role
Date of Birth: March 21, 1971
Place of Birth: Sydney, Australia
Nationality: Australia
Position/responsibility: Helmsman
Nickname: Bundy
Darren joined ORACLE Racing in mid-2011 as a coach and helmsman. Although this is his first experience in an America’s Cup team, he comes loaded with credentials.
Darren knows no other type of sailing apart from multihulls. He started sailing at the age of 8 when he crewed for his father Graham on a Maricat 4.3 and they won the state championship.
That victory launched a career that has won two Olympic medals in the Tornado catamaran class, 14 world championships, five European championships and four Australian Male Sailor of the Year awards.
“I have stepped foot on a monohull, but it wasn’t for me,” says Darren. “I like the speed and adrenaline of multihulls, everything happens a lot faster. Everyone wants to go places quickly and multihulls are it.”
Given his passion for multihulls “Bundy” never thought he’d have a shot at the America’s Cup. It was something he hoped for, but knew the opportunity might never come along. Then multihulls were introduced for the 34th Cup and he welcomed the opportunity to join ORACLE Racing.
“As an Olympic sailor you receive a lot of support from your national sailing authority,” Darren says. “But coming into a Cup team, with the shore support and all the designers and builders, it’s a whole new level.”
Career Highlights
2011: Joins ORACLE Racing
America’s Cup World Series San Diego Match Racing Championship, 6th place
America’s Cup World Series San Diego Fleet Racing Championship, 9th place
Four-time Australian Male Sailor of the Year (2002-04, 2007)
Two-time Olympic silver medalist (2000, 08)
Seven-time Tornado World Champion (1998, 2001-03, 2006, 2008-09)
Four-time Formula 18 World Champion (2004-05, 2007, 2011)
Formula 16 World Champion (2011)
Two-time ISAF Multihull World Champion (2002, 06)
Five-time Tornado European champion (1999, 2001, 2003-04, 2007)