Brad Butterworth

Brad Butterworth
Name	Brad Butterworth
Birth date	1959
Birth place	Auckland, New Zealand
Nationality	New Zealand
Occupation	Sailor
Known for	America's Cup, match racing
Awards	ISAF World Sailor of the Year, New Zealand Order of Merit

Brad Butterworth is a New Zealand-born professional sailor renowned for his achievements in match racing and multiple America's Cup campaigns. He rose to prominence as a tactician and skipper, winning key international regattas and contributing to America's Cup victories with teams from New Zealand, Australia, and the United States. Butterworth's career spans competitive sailing, coaching, and executive roles within elite yacht racing circles.

Early life and education

Born in Auckland, Butterworth's formative years were shaped by New Zealand's maritime culture and the sailing scenes of the Waitematā Harbour and Tamaki Strait. He attended local schools in Auckland and developed early connections with clubs such as the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron and the Takapuna Boating Club. Influences included New Zealand sailors and figures from regional events like the Heritage Classic and the Pacific Rowing Regatta.

Sailing career

Butterworth first gained attention in keelboat and match racing circuits, competing in regional competitions including the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race and Southern Hemisphere regattas. He raced against prominent skippers and teams from countries such as Australia, United States, United Kingdom, France, and Italy. Competing in events organized under bodies like the International Sailing Federation and regional associations, he established a reputation as a strategist on monohull and international rule yachts.

America's Cup campaigns

Butterworth's America's Cup involvement included roles with syndicates such as Team New Zealand, Team New Zealand (1995), America^3, and Alinghi. He served as tactician and helmsman in multiple campaigns, contributing to victories in the 36th America's Cup and other editions. Butterworth's tactical acumen was instrumental during matchups against challengers from Maserati (yacht team), Emirates Team New Zealand, and Luna Rossa Challenge. He worked alongside designers and tacticians affiliated with the Weta Workshop-linked New Zealand design community and international naval architecture firms.

Match racing and other achievements

A preeminent match racing skipper, Butterworth collected wins in events like the World Match Racing Tour, the Monaco Skipper's Cup, and regattas within the International Sailing Federation calendar. He competed in invitational regattas facing competitors from Spain, Germany, Sweden, Netherlands, Denmark, and Portugal. Butterworth received individual recognition including awards comparable to the ISAF World Sailor of the Year and national honors from New Zealand institutions such as the New Zealand Order of Merit.

Coaching, leadership, and later roles

Beyond active competition, Butterworth transitioned into coaching, management, and advisory roles for high-performance programs associated with syndicates like Oracle Team USA, Emirates Team New Zealand, and European challengers. He contributed to training curricula, match-race strategy seminars, and organizational leadership at events run by bodies such as the Royal Yacht Squadron and the International Sailing Federation. Butterworth also engaged with yacht design and performance teams collaborating with firms from Auckland, Genoa, Marseille, and Plymouth.

Personal life and honours

Butterworth has maintained ties with New Zealand's sailing community, mentoring younger sailors and engaging with clubs including the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron and regional regattas like the Lyttelton Harbour Regatta. His honors include national orders and accolades from international sailing organizations. Butterworth's legacy is reflected in the development of match racing talent in New Zealand and internationally, influencing campaigns from Auckland to Valencia and beyond.

Category:New Zealand sailors Category:America's Cup sailors