Russell Coutts
Russell Coutts’ name will remain in world sailing history books forever. He is the Skipper/Helmsman who steered Team New Zealand to America’s Cup victories in both 1995 and 2000. In 1995, he helmed Black Magic, which won the 1995 America's Cup with an overwhelming five straight wins over Dennis Conner’s USA team in the 29th America's Cup. This was only the second time that the America's Cup has left the United States in the 144-year history of the event.
In 2000, Team New Zealand’s NZL60, with Russell as skipper and head of their “sailing campaign”, repeated their 5-0 victory streak over Italian Challenger Prada, creating history by becoming the first ever syndicate to successfully defend the America’s Cup outside the USA.
Russell began his successful yachting career in 1979 when he won the New Zealand Laser Championships at the age of 17. From that illustrious beginning, he has racked up more than 20 first-class line honours. In 1995, to win the Louis Vuitton Cup and the right to challenge for the America’s Cup, he skippered Black Magic to an unprecedented record of 37 – 1 victories on the water.
Russell was Skipper of Alinghi, Switzerland's successful Challenger for the America's Cup, in 2003 which took the Auld Mug to Europe for the first time ever. After leaving Alinghi he designed a new yacht, the RC44, and continues to compete in competitons on the water around the world.
He has twice been honoured by the world governing body of sailing, the International Yacht Racing Union, with the World Sailor of Year Award. He also won the 2003 International Sailing Federation's world sailor of the year award.
Favourite quotes
Basically, there's only one spot that I can go that's better than my past performances, so that's the one I'm going for.
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