Jimmy 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 he 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 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, breaking the race record at the same time.

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 has now joined the Luna Rossa Challenge team for what will be his 7th America s Cup campaign.

When not training with the team, Jimmy takes a keen interest in flying (he's flown with the Blue Angels, the Red Bull Flying Bulls and holds his Private Pilots License). He is also an accomplished amateur boxer and has done two Molokai to Oahu SUP crossings.

Non-Sailing Achievements
Flew with the Blue Angels (2012)
Rode the Laguna Seca race track on a Moto GP bike (2012)
Went round the Fontana race track in an Indy Car (2012)
One of only a few people in the world to have completed a forward roll in a helicopter (2013)
Competes in CrossFit
Kiteboard racing
World Championship Paddle boarding races
Obtained Private Pilot's License in Oct 2009
Boxing 2018
3rd place - Sydney to Southport on Comanche
Winner - TP52 Zadar with Luna Rossa
Winner - TP52 Valencia with Luna Rossa 2017
Winner and Race Record - Sydney to Hobart on Comanche
Winner - Men's SUP Devil's Isle Challenge
Winner - LVAC Qualifiers
Winner - Coastal Classic Race New Zealand 2015
Winner - Sydney to Hobart Race on board Comanche 2014
3rd place -SUP - Jay Race Santa Cruz (June)
14th overall - SUP Molokai to Oahu race
2nd place - Melges 32 US National Championships
Yacht & Yachting Sailor of the Year
Winner - Les Voiles de St Tropez - Modern Boats Class
ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year
2nd place - Rolex Sydney to Hobart race 2013
Winner - 34th America's Cup, ORACLE TEAM USA
2nd place - SUP - Jay Race Santa Cruz
29th overall - SUP Molokai to Oahu race
Named one of the Top 10 Best Communicators of the year by Decker Communications 2010
33rd America's Cup, BMW ORACLE Racing, winner
RC 44 2010 World Championship, Yacht 17, winner
International C Class Catamaran Championship, runner-up
Australian Male Sailor of the Year 2009
International A Class Catamaran World Championship, 6th place
Australian Male Sailor of the Year 2007
Louis Vuitton Cup, Luna Rossa Challenge, finalist 2006
Australian Male Sailor of the Year 2005
ISAF Match Race World Championship, winner
Melges 24 World Championship, winner
Bermuda Gold Cup, winner
Australian Male Sailor of the Year 2004
1st place in Nations Cup
3rd in Sydney to Hobart Race 2003
Louis Vuitton Cup, OneWorld, semifinalist
1st place in Nations Cup
2nd place in Match Race World Championship 2000:
Louis Vuitton Cup, Young Australia