James Spithill

James 'Jimmy' Spithill grew up on the water in Elvina Bay, Australia, with no road access. The only way to get to school or the mainland was by boat. He started windsurfing at the age of 5, and when he was 9, his father found an old abandoned wooden 2-person dinghy which they restored. Using this boat, he won the first race he entered at age 10, together with his younger sister Katie. He then moved on to dinghies and skiffs.

At 19, Spithill became the youngest America’s Cup skipper helming Young Australia 2000. At 30 years old, he became the youngest skipper to ever win the America’s Cup on board the 90 foot trimaran USA17, and in 2013, his Oracle Team USA team successfully defended the Cup by defeating Emirates Team New Zealand 9-8 after coming back from 8-1, in what has been described as the greatest comeback in international sport. He won back-to-back Nations Cup titles in 2003 and 2004 and finished second in the 2003 Match Race World Championship before winning it in 2005.

Spithill spent many years on the Match racing circuit and One design fleet racing and won multiple World Championships in both disciplines. His first Sydney-Hobart was the infamous 1998 Race on Ragamuffin, and following a few more attempts, he won the line honours on board Comanche in 2017, setting a race record at the same time. He has been recognized with awards like the ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year and has been named Australian Male Sailor of the Year multiple times.

During the 35th edition of the America´s Cup, he skippered and helmed the Oracle Team USA boat to win the Louis Vuitton Qualifiers. He joined Luna Rossa Challenge team for his 7th America´s Cup campaign as Helmsman, winning the Prada Cup, but they were beaten by Team New Zealand 7-3.

He now holds the record for Most AC Race Wins as a Skipper. He is the CEO and driver for SailGP Team USA, currently holding the 2nd position on the leader board for Season 2. When not training with the team, Spithill takes a keen interest in flying (he has flown with the Blue Angels, the Red Bull Flying Bulls, and holds his Private Pilot’s License). He is also an accomplished amateur boxer and has completed two Molokai to Oahu SUP crossings.