Ken Read (sailor)
 Ken Read in October 2011 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | American |
| Born | June 24, 1961 Newport, Rhode Island |
| Sport | |
| Sport | Sailing |
| College team | Boston University |
Kenneth Read (born June 24, 1961 in Newport, Rhode Island) is an American yachtsman who is considered one of the world’s most accomplished and celebrated sailors. He was named United States Rolex Yachtsman of the Year twice (1985 and 1995), and has won more than 40 world, North American, and national championships in a variety of classes including the J/24 and Etchells 22. While sailing at Boston University (Boston, MA. USA), Read was a three-time collegiate All American (1981, 1982 and 1983) and is now a member of the BU Hall of Fame. Read also won the "Everett B. Morris Trophy", awarded to the ICSA College Sailor of the Year in 1982.[1] Read was helmsman aboard two (2000, 2003) of Dennis Conner’s Stars & Stripes America’s Cup campaigns. He also served as strategist and coach with America’s Cup entry Young America in 1999.
Read first began racking up offshore miles when he joined the Ericsson Racing Team for the last four legs of the 2005-2006 Volvo Ocean Race.[2]
Read was skipper of Puma Ocean Racing Team’s il Mostro in the 2008–09 edition of the Volvo Ocean Race[3]—his first complete circumnavigation. Read took a sabbatical from his job as vice president of sailmaking company North Sails to skipper PUMA Ocean Racing's entry in the race.
On October 29, 2011, Read returned as skipper for a second time to lead PUMA Ocean Racing powered by BERG's entry Mar Mostro in the 2011-2012 Edition of the Volvo Ocean Race.[4]
In July 2012, Mar Mostro finished its circumnavigation in Galway, Ireland in third place, securing a third place overall victory in the 2011–12 edition of the Volvo Ocean Race.[5] Alongside a third place podium finish, Read led PUMA Ocean Racing powered by BERG to a first place overall victory in the In-Port Series.[6] Read stated the 2011–12 Volvo Ocean Race would be his last.[7]
Since completing his Volvo Ocean Race campaigns, Read has often acted as skipper for Dr. James H. Clark's latest yachts Hanuman and IRC supermaxi Comanche . Read is a commentator on the America's Cup tournament.
References
- ^ ICSA "Top Awards List"
- ^ http://www.volvooceanrace.org
- ^ http://www.pumaoceanracing.com
- ^ PUMA Ocean Racing powered by BERG Team Page Volvo Ocean Race 2011-2012. Retrieved January 8, 2012.
- ^ Volvo Ocean Race Official Website: "Read's 'hard luck kids' do PUMA proud
- ^ Volvo Ocean Race Official Website: PUNA pounce to win In-Port Series
- ^ Discovery.com "Why it’s Good to Be Ken Read, Pro Sailor"
External links
