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Photo by M Ranchi
Interview by Justin Chisholm - Offshorerules.com
Interview by Justin Chisholm - Offshorerules.com
Terry Hutchinson is one of the world’s most well known professional sailors. His racing CV includes match racing success, multiple one design national and world titles, as well as participation in three top flight America’s Cup campaigns. Last year at the helm of Quantum Racing’s TP52 he dominated the European circuit, winning the Medcup Regatta Series and the class World Championship. Later in the year and also sailing a Quantum boat he took out the hotly contested Melges 24 North American Championship. To round out a memorable year Hutchinson was awarded the prestigious Rolex Yachtsman of the Year award and was been appointed as international spokesman for Quantum Sails.
This year Hutchinson will be defending his TP52 titles as well as sailing as tactician on Jim Richardson’s Farr 40 Barking Mad and also taking a tilt at the Melges 24 World Championship in Annapolis. We caught up with him to find out more about him and ask how he plans to top last year’s performance.
OR: Terry for you last year was a sensational one by anyone’s standards. Rolex Yachtsman of the Year, TP52 European dominance, Melges 24 NA Champion. What are your thoughts about 2008 now?
TH: The 2008 Rolex award was quite an honour for me. It is a privilege to be considered as a member of that group of people. That said, the year was awesome because so much work and effort went into it from a lot of people other than just me. All the programs - TP52, Farr 40, and Melges 24 each benefited from having great people involved. The Rolex award is really an acknowledgement of all the great team’s that I was so fortunate to have been a part of in 2008.
OR: How is the 2009 season shaping up?
TH: My personal goal for 2009 is to continue to compete in the same manner and at the same level as in 2008. The reality is that it is very difficult to continually win events and frankly 2009 has started not as well as 2008. For one reason or another first three events of the year have only resulted in only one podium finish…Read full interview
This year Hutchinson will be defending his TP52 titles as well as sailing as tactician on Jim Richardson’s Farr 40 Barking Mad and also taking a tilt at the Melges 24 World Championship in Annapolis. We caught up with him to find out more about him and ask how he plans to top last year’s performance.
OR: Terry for you last year was a sensational one by anyone’s standards. Rolex Yachtsman of the Year, TP52 European dominance, Melges 24 NA Champion. What are your thoughts about 2008 now?
TH: The 2008 Rolex award was quite an honour for me. It is a privilege to be considered as a member of that group of people. That said, the year was awesome because so much work and effort went into it from a lot of people other than just me. All the programs - TP52, Farr 40, and Melges 24 each benefited from having great people involved. The Rolex award is really an acknowledgement of all the great team’s that I was so fortunate to have been a part of in 2008.
OR: How is the 2009 season shaping up?
TH: My personal goal for 2009 is to continue to compete in the same manner and at the same level as in 2008. The reality is that it is very difficult to continually win events and frankly 2009 has started not as well as 2008. For one reason or another first three events of the year have only resulted in only one podium finish…Read full interview
