Ken Read (sailor)

Ken Read (sailor)
Name	Ken Read
Nationality	American
Birth date	6 June 1961
Birth place	Cleveland, Ohio, United States
Education	Boston University

Ken Read (sailor) is an accomplished American sailor, businessman, and commentator, renowned for his leadership in elite offshore and inshore racing. He is best known for his two-time role as helmsman for America's Cup challenges and for skippering PUMA Ocean Racing in two editions of the Volvo Ocean Race. A highly decorated competitor, Read has also been a prominent figure in sailing media, serving as president of North Sails and providing commentary for ESPN and SailGP.

Early life and education

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Read grew up sailing on Lake Erie and was immersed in the sport from a young age. He attended Boston University, where he was a standout member of the Boston University Terriers sailing team, competing in highly competitive Inter-Collegiate Sailing Association events. His collegiate career honed his tactical skills and competitive drive, laying a strong foundation for his professional sailing pursuits. Following his graduation, Read immediately began to make his mark on the national and international sailing circuits.

Sailing career

Read's professional sailing career is distinguished by success across a wide range of high-performance classes and events. He is a multiple-time world champion in the J/24 class, a highly competitive one-design keelboat. His expertise extended to maxi yachts, where he served as helmsman for boats like Morning Glory and Pyewacket, winning prestigious events such as the Bermuda Race and Transpac. Read's versatility and skill in both inshore and offshore disciplines made him one of the most sought-after sailors of his generation, earning him recognition from US Sailing and induction into the National Sailing Hall of Fame.

America's Cup involvement

Ken Read was twice selected as the helmsman for America's Cup challenges with Stars & Stripes, under the leadership of Dennis Conner. His first campaign was for the 1992 America's Cup in San Diego, followed by the 1995 America's Cup defense. Although these campaigns did not result in victory, Read's performance against top-tier talent like Team New Zealand and Il Moro di Venezia solidified his reputation as a world-class match racer. The intense competition and technological innovation of the America's Cup profoundly shaped his approach to professional sailing and team management.

Volvo Ocean Race participation

Read transitioned to full-time ocean racing as the skipper of PUMA Ocean Racing for the 2008–09 Volvo Ocean Race and the 2011–12 Volvo Ocean Race. Sailing the Volvo Open 70 il mostro, his team secured a podium finish in both grueling circumnavigations, famously winning the leg into Boston in 2009. These campaigns, backed by PUMA, were noted for their competitive spirit, innovative media outreach, and Read's leadership through extreme conditions in the Southern Ocean. His Volvo Ocean Race exploits are considered a cornerstone of his offshore sailing legacy.

Business ventures and media work

Parallel to his sailing career, Read has held significant leadership roles in the marine industry. He served as President of North Sails, the world's largest sailmaker, overseeing its global operations and technological development. In broadcasting, he has been a lead sailing commentator for ESPN's America's Cup coverage and for the high-tech SailGP league. Read has also been involved in yacht design consultation and corporate speaking, leveraging his extensive experience to bridge the worlds of professional sport and business.

Personal life

Ken Read maintains a relatively private personal life but is known to be an avid golfer. He has been involved in various charitable sailing initiatives aimed at youth development and environmental conservation related to the oceans. Based in Newport, Rhode Island, a hub for competitive sailing, he remains an active and respected figure in the global sailing community, contributing his expertise to next-generation sailors and major sailing events.

Category:American sailors Category:Volvo Ocean Race sailors Category:America's Cup sailors Category:Living people Category:1961 births