Simon's role
Date of Birth: July 17, 1959
Nationality: New Zealand
Position: Trimmer
Simon Daubney is one of the most experienced headsail trimmers in the world of grand-prix sailing.
Simon has won the Cup an impressive four times, many with fellow team members Russell Coutts, Murray Jones, Matt Mason and Piet van Nieuwenhuyzen.
“When I look around at this team and see many of the same people from previous America’s Cup campaigns, I see a lot of guys that are at the top of their game in their respective fields,” says Simon.
“Russell still has a great fire in him. And I’m impressed with the drive that Jimmy Spithill has. The whole group is impressive and familiar,” Simon says.
Simon’s sailing career started like many New Zealanders, in dinghy classes. From there he moved into keelboat classes and represented New Zealand at the Olympics three times in the three-man Soling keelboat. He has won eight world championships and 18 Grade 1 match race regattas.
It’s the America’s Cup arena, however, where Simon has earned the reputation as a world class trimmer. He was part of the winning Team New Zealand crews in 1995 and 2000, and then joined Alinghi for victories in 2003 and 2007. His accomplishments gained him nomination to the America’s Cup Hall of Fame in 2010.
“The AC45’s are such a new game,” says Simon. “It’s like the boat’s dominating you at first and you have to learn how to tame it, learn how to figure it out. And that’s the exciting part, that’s what keeps it fun.”
Career Highlights
2011: Joins ORACLE Racing (June)
America’s Cup World Series San Diego Match Racing Championship, 6th place
America’s Cup World Series San Diego Fleet Racing Championship, 9th place
America’s Cup World Series Plymouth Fleet Racing Championship, 3rd place
America’s Cup World Series Plymouth Match Racing Championship, 4th place
2010: 33rd America’s Cup, Alinghi, finalist
2007: 32nd America’s Cup, Alinghi, winner
2003: 31st America’s Cup, Alinghi, winner
Louis Vuitton Cup, Alinghi, winner
2000: 30th America’s Cup, Team New Zealand, winner
1995: 29th America’s Cup, Team New Zealand, winner
Louis Vuitton Cup, Team New Zealand, winner