Russell Coutts facts for kids
Coutts in 2010
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| Born | 1 March 1962 Wellington, New Zealand |
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| Class(es) | Finn, AC45 | |||||||||||||
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Medal record
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Sir Russell Coutts (born March 1, 1962) is a famous sailor from New Zealand. He is known for winning an Olympic gold medal. He also led his team to win the America's Cup three times in 1995, 2000, and 2003. He is considered one of the best sailors ever.
Contents
Russell Coutts' Early Sailing Days
Russell Coutts grew up in New Zealand. He went to Otago Boys' High School. He learned to sail at the Paremata Boating Club. When he was 17, he became the national champion in the Laser class.
Russell Coutts' Amazing Sailing Career
Russell Coutts has achieved many great things in sailing. He won a gold medal at the 1984 Summer Olympics in the Finn class. He has won the America's Cup five times. He also won the ISAF World Youth championships. He has won three World Match Racing Championships. He has a perfect record as a skipper in America's Cup races. He won 15 races and lost none in 1995, 2000, and 2003.
The RC44 Boat Series
In 2005, Russell Coutts helped design a new boat called the RC44. This boat is fast and made for top-level racing. It follows strict rules to keep the competition fair. The RC44 is designed for amateur sailors to race in big events.
The SailGP Racing Series
Russell Coutts and American businessman Larry Ellison started the SailGP professional racing series in 2019. This series features fast, high-tech boats racing in different cities around the world.
In March 2024, a SailGP event in Christchurch, New Zealand, was canceled. This happened because endangered Hector's dolphins were in the race area. Russell Coutts said that local rules about marine animals were "extremely restrictive." However, local groups said that SailGP knew about these rules when they planned the event.
Russell Coutts and the America's Cup
Russell Coutts has a long history with the America's Cup. Here are some of his key wins:
- 1995 – He was the skipper and helmsman for Black Magic. They won the 1995 Louis Vuitton Cup and then the 1995 America's Cup 5-0.
- 2000 – He was the skipper and helmsman for Team New Zealand. They won the 2000 America’s Cup 5-0.
- 2003 – He was the skipper and helmsman for Alinghi. They won the 2003 Louis Vuitton Cup and then the 2003 America's Cup 5-0.
- 2010 – He was the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for BMW Oracle Racing. They won the 2010 America's Cup 2-0.
- 2013 – He was the CEO for Oracle Racing. They won the 2013 America's Cup 9-8.
In 2007, Coutts became the CEO and skipper of BMW Oracle Racing. This team was the challenger for the 2010 America's Cup. Their boat, USA 17, had a special rigid wing sail. This sail gave them a big advantage, and they easily beat the defending team, Alinghi.
Coutts also led the Oracle Team as CEO in the 2013 America's Cup. This race was in San Francisco. Oracle Racing made an amazing comeback. They were losing 8-1 but then won the next 8 races to defend the cup. This was the longest America's Cup match ever.
World Championship Wins
Russell Coutts has won many world championships in different sailing classes:
| Year | Competition | Venue | Position | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | World Youth Sailing | 1st | ||
| 1992 | IYRU Match Racing World Championship | Long Beach, USA | 1st | Match racing |
| 1993 | IYRU Match Racing World Championship | Perth, Australia | 1st | Match racing |
| 1996 | ISAF Open Match Racing World Championship | Dubrovnik, Croatia | 1st | Match racing |
| 2001 | 12 Metre World Championship | Cowes, UK | 1st | 12 Metre Grand Prix class |
| 2001 | Farr 40 World Championships | Cowes, UK | 1st | Farr 40 class |
| 2006 | Farr 40 World Championship | Newport, USA | 1st | Farr 40 class |
Olympic Games Medals
Russell Coutts competed in the Olympics twice:
- In the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, USA, he won a Gold Medal in the Finn class.
- In the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, Spain, he finished 8th in the Soling class.
Other Important Sailing Events
- 1993 – He won the Admiral's Cup with the yacht Pinta.
- 2006 – He won the Bol d'Or Rolex in Switzerland. He also won the Farr 40 World Championship in Newport, USA.
- 2008 – He won the Cagliari RC44 Cup and the Malcesine SLAM Cup in Match Racing. He also won the TP 52 Audi MedCup.
Russell Coutts' Personal Life
Russell Coutts is married and has four children.
Awards and Honors
Russell Coutts has received many awards for his achievements in yachting.
- In 1985, he was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE).
- In 1995, he became a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE).
- In 2000, he was made a Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (DCNZM).
- In 2009, he became a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (KNZM). This means he is now called "Sir Russell Coutts."
He has also been named ISAF Sailor of the Year twice. Other awards include:
- 1984 – New Zealand Yachtsman of the Year
- 1995 – Sperry World Sailor of the Year
- 1995 – ISAF World Sailor of the Year Award
- 1996 – He was inducted into the America's Cup Hall of Fame.
- 2003 – ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Award
See also
In Spanish: Russell Coutts para niños
