John's role
Date of Birth: June 7, 1964
Nationality: USA
Position: Tactician
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. After a month of trialing the AC45 in the blustery conditions of June, he’s sounding a cautious note as the build-up to the 2013 Cup presses on.
“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
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
America’s Cup World Series Cascais Match Racing Championship, winner
America’s Cup World Series Cascais Overall Championship, 3rd place
Farr 40 World Championship, Transfusion, winner
2010: 33rd America’s Cup, BMW ORACLE Racing, winner
2002: Volvo Ocean Race, illbruck Challenge, winner
2000: Louis Vuitton Cup, AmericaOne, finalist
1997-98: Whitbread Round the World Race, Chessie Racing
1995: Louis Vuitton Cup Young America
1988: Seoul Olympics Regatta, Soling class, Silver medallist
1986, 88: Soling World Champion