Iain Murray (sailor)


Iain Murray is an Australian sailor. He is most noted for his appearances in 12-Metre Class yachts in the 1983 and 1987 America's Cup regattas and his management of the 2013 America's Cup in San Francisco, California.

Sailing career

Murray started sailing in Flying Ant class dinghies at the age of nine. His first major event win was the 1973 Australian Cherub Championship title. He continued to gain notoriety in the sailing community as he won regattas and for his appearances in 12-Metre Class yachts in the America's Cup regattas.

Olympic career

He represented Australia in Sailing at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, raced the Olympic Star class keelboat.

Sailing awards

Murray won the 18 ft skiff world title, the JJ Giltinan International Trophy, for a record six consecutive years from 1977 to 1982.
In 1984 he won the World Etchells championship held in Sydney, a title he won again Corpus Christi, Texas in 2019.
Iain has also won championships as 18ft Skiff skipper.

Boat design

The modern version of the 18 ft Skiff was designed by Murray.
Iain also developed the Nippa 2.65m dinghy for children.

America's Cup

Racing

In the 1983 America's Cup challenge at Newport, Rhode Island, Murray sailed on Syd Fischer's Advance. Australia II went on to win the Cup and bring it to Australia. Murray joined Kevin Parry's Taskforce '87 syndicate and co-designed and skippered their Kookaburra yachts. Kookaburra III won the defender elimination trials against three other Australian syndicates off Fremantle, but lost to Dennis Conner and Stars & Stripes 87, four races to nil.
Iain was onboard One Australia when it sank during the 1995 Louis Vuitton Cup, preceding the America's Cup match race that year.

Management

He was Regatta Director for the 34th America's Cup in 2013 and 35th America's Cup in 2017 and CEO of America's Cup Race Management.