Profile

Paul Cayard is one of America’s most recognized and accomplished sailors.

Cayard, a seven-time world champion, and seven-time America’s Cup competitor, has twice circumnavigated the world, becoming the first American to win the Whitbread Round the World Race in 1998, and placing second with the Disney syndicate Pirates of the Caribbean in the 2005-2006 edition of the Volvo Ocean Race. He is a two-time Olympian (1984 and 2004) and one of the very few who have competed at the top level in these three diverse disciplines within the sport of sailing.

With hundreds of thousands of miles at sea over the past 40 years, Cayard’s sailing exploits from the America’s Cup to the Roaring 40’s and the icebergs of the Southern Ocean have given him a wealth of experience, proving his leadership skills sometimes in harrowing moments in the Southern ocean where lives were on the line.

Beyond his skill at the helm, Cayard is one of the sport’s pioneers in marketing and the management of sailing teams which includes working with Fortune 500 companies such as Disney, Ford, and United Technologies. Cayard is also a sought-after public speaker, his ability to recount fascinating and life-changing moments at sea has captivated audiences all over the world. Fluent in English, French, and Italian, Cayard frequently speaks at conferences around the globe and commentates on sailing including during the 32nd America’s Cup in 2007 for RAI.

A Rolex Ambassador since 1998, Cayard also has endorsed various brands including Oakley and Zegna.

Cayard’s accolades include induction to the US Sailing Hall of Fame in 2011 and Rolex Yachtsman of the Year in 1998.

Cayard was born and currently resides, in San Francisco.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

America’s Cup

2013 Artemis Racing, CEO, San Francisco
2007 Desafio Espanol, Technical Advisor, Valencia
2000 AmericaOne Skipper, Auckland
1995 Stars and Stripes Helmsman San Diego
1992 Il Moro di Venezia Skipper/Manager San Diego
1987 USA Tactician Perth, Australia
1983 Defender – Sail trimmer Newport, RI

World Championship Titles

2002 IMS, Capri, Brava Q 8
1996 ILC 40, Athens, Brava Q8
1991 50′ Class Japan Abracadabra
1991 America’s Cup, San Diego, Il Moro di Venezia
1989 One Ton, Napoli, Brava
1988 Star, Buenos Aires, Argentina
1988 Maxi, San Francisco, Il Moro di Venezia III

Round the World Sailing

2006 Volvo Ocean Race 2nd Pirates of the Caribbean
1998 Whitbread Round the World Race 1st EF Language

Olympic Games

2004 Star, Athens – 5th
1984 Star (Alternate), Los Angeles

Honors

2011 U.S. Sailing Hall of Fame.
2006 St Francis Yacht Club Yachtsman of the Year
2002 Sailing World Hall of Fame
1998 Rolex Yachtsman of the Year
1997 St. Francis Yacht Club Yachtsman of the Year
1992 Rothmans Yachtsman of the Year
1991 Yachting Magazine Yachtsman of the Year