David Hughes (sailor)


David "Dave" Hughes - US Olympian, multi-time World and national champion, and professional sailor. Hughes was a member of the 2016 and 2012 US Olympic Teams. He is best known for his accomplishments on the Olympic sailing circuit as both an athlete and coach. Hughes was a US Olympic Team coach at the 2012 London Olympics, coaching Erik Storck and Trevor Moore in the 49er class. David is a 4x National champion and 6x North American champion in the 470 class. He has won 5x World Cup Gold Medals and 3x European Championship medals. Notable highlights include recent Gold Medals at the 2017, 2016, and 2013 Sailing World Cup Miami, 2015 Europeans Championships, 2015 Sailing World Cup Weymouth, as well as multiple medals in other Olympic and non-Olympic events, including winning the 2016 Melges 24 World Championship and 2017 Etchells World Championship. He burst onto the Olympic scene with a win at the 2005 Kiel Week Regatta with Michael Anderson-Mitterling. After the 2012 Olympics, Hughes partnered with two-time Olympian Stuart McNay. The two qualified together for the 2016 Olympic Games, representing the US in the Men's 470 two-person discipline. Hughes has four times been shortlisted for US Yachtsman of the Year. He is a dual citizen of the US and France. He holds both Batchelor's and master's degrees; he was a US Senate, US House, and White House West Wing intern during years 1996-1998. In 2018, Hughes was signed by the New York Yacht Club "American Magic" team challenging for the 2021 America's Cup. He and McNay are actively campaigning for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan. Hughes lives in Miami, FL.