Reflections from America’s Cup Legends Grant Simmer and Simon Daubney

09/26/24 • 55 min

America's Cup Hall of Famers Grant Simmer and Simon Daubney stop by Loft 57 to reflect on the America's Cup and their experience within yachting's most prestigious regatta. Between them, these two have won the Cup nine times. Their insight is second to none, and their unique point of view provides an in-depth look at the evolution of the America's Cup.
Host Ken Read recorded Season 2 of Loft 57 on-site at the 37th America's Cup in Barcelona, Spain. This season goes behind the scenes with America's Cup personalities past and present. During the conversations, Ken collects first-hand accounts of what it's like inside a Cup team, what it takes to win the Cup, and why North Sails is the sailmaker of choice for every America's Cup defender and challenger since 1980.

Previous Episode

The Extreme Testing Ground

In recent years, offshore sailing has seen a dramatic rise in popularity and awareness. This sector of our sport pushes sailors, their boats, and the equipment to the limits.

In this episode of Loft 57, our guests are synonymous with offshore racing. Volvo Ocean Race legend, Bouwe Bekking, and master sailmaker, Nathan Quirk, join us to talk about their personal experiences as well as their unique perspective of sail evolution, specifically with North 3Di. Together, their collective experience includes thousands of offshore racing miles; Bekking onboard as a sailor, and Quirk in the sail repair loft.

Next Episode

America’s Cup Strategy On Board & Shoreside, Plus a Conversation with Tom Whidden

Emirates Team New Zealand helmsman Nathan Outteridge and Orient Express Racing Team CEO Bruno Dubois join the conversation in this episode of Loft 57. Nathan shares first-hand experience sailing the AC75 – from technical advancements in these foiling monsters to the challenges of getting this machine around the racetrack. Bruno, who has more than a few high-profile wins, including an Ocean Race with Dongfeng, discusses the difficulties of mounting a competitive America's Cup challenge on a limited budget and timeline.

And in a bonus feature, Cup legend and longtime North Sails leader Tom Whidden sits with Ken Read to chat about how this event, the boats, and the sailors have evolved over the last five decades.