Austin Sperry
Encyclopedia
Austin Sperry is an American
sailor
and together with John Dane III was the winner of the 2007 U.S. Olympic Trials, securing their place in sailing at the 2008 Summer Olympics - Star class. At a young age, he began sailing with his father on Star boats
, on the San Francisco Bay
. Sperry's first large-scale competition was the Bacardi Cup at the age of 14.
In 2005, Sperry began sailing with John Dane III (later to become his father in-law). Together, the team won the 2006 Bacardi Cup, and successfully campaigned for the USA slot in the Star boat for the 2008 Olympic Games
. In 2008, the team then placed 3rd in the Bacardi Cup Regatta
, one of the many Star Class events worldwide.
Over the years, Sperry has sailed and trained with several well-known sailors such as Paul Cayard and John Kostecki. At the Star ZAG Masters Regatta in 2008, Sperry took the opportunity to sail with his father, Brooks Sperry, finishing in 10th place overall and 5th in the Masters.
Sperry is coached by Hans Wallen (Star Silver, Sweden '96), Steve Erickson (Star Gold, USA '84) and Rodney Hagebols. He lives in Gulfport, Mississippi
with his wife Sally.
, Gregory Hillman, and other professional sailboat racers. Sperry can also be seen on local feet reporting sites like the Santa Monica Bay Star Fleet.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
sailor
Sailor
A sailor, mariner, or seaman is a person who navigates water-borne vessels or assists in their operation, maintenance, or service. The term can apply to professional mariners, military personnel, and recreational sailors as well as a plethora of other uses...
and together with John Dane III was the winner of the 2007 U.S. Olympic Trials, securing their place in sailing at the 2008 Summer Olympics - Star class. At a young age, he began sailing with his father on Star boats
Star (sailboat)
The International Star is a 6.9 m one-design racing keelboat for two people.The boat must weigh at least 671 kg with a maximum total sail area of 26.5 m . It is sloop-rigged, with a mainsail larger in proportional size than any other boat of its length...
, on the San Francisco Bay
San Francisco Bay
San Francisco Bay is a shallow, productive estuary through which water draining from approximately forty percent of California, flowing in the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers from the Sierra Nevada mountains, enters the Pacific Ocean...
. Sperry's first large-scale competition was the Bacardi Cup at the age of 14.
In 2005, Sperry began sailing with John Dane III (later to become his father in-law). Together, the team won the 2006 Bacardi Cup, and successfully campaigned for the USA slot in the Star boat for the 2008 Olympic Games
Olympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
. In 2008, the team then placed 3rd in the Bacardi Cup Regatta
Regatta
A regatta is a series of boat races. The term typically describes racing events of rowed or sailed water craft, although some powerboat race series are also called regattas...
, one of the many Star Class events worldwide.
Over the years, Sperry has sailed and trained with several well-known sailors such as Paul Cayard and John Kostecki. At the Star ZAG Masters Regatta in 2008, Sperry took the opportunity to sail with his father, Brooks Sperry, finishing in 10th place overall and 5th in the Masters.
Sperry is coached by Hans Wallen (Star Silver, Sweden '96), Steve Erickson (Star Gold, USA '84) and Rodney Hagebols. He lives in Gulfport, Mississippi
Gulfport, Mississippi
Gulfport is the second largest city in Mississippi after the state capital Jackson. It is the larger of the two principal cities of the Gulfport-Biloxi, Mississippi Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula, Mississippi Combined Statistical Area. As of the...
with his wife Sally.
Austin Sperry's Racing Locations
Austin races boats all over the United States however he is nationally known for his accomplishments in Miami Florida as well as Marina del Rey, San Diego, and San Francisco California when racing Philippe KahnPhilippe Kahn
Philippe Kahn is a technology innovator and entrepreneur, who is credited with creating the first camera phone solution sharing pictures instantly on public networks. Kahn's first publicly shared picture is unique in that no other teams making the claim have any pictures. Kahn shot the first camera...
, Gregory Hillman, and other professional sailboat racers. Sperry can also be seen on local feet reporting sites like the Santa Monica Bay Star Fleet.
Additional accomplishments
- 2008 Bacardi Cup Star Class Regatta – 3rd
- 2008 Star ZAG Masters – 10th overall
- 2008 Rolex Miami Olympic Classes Regatta
- 2008 Star Biscayne Regatta CRYC – 12th
- 2007 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – 1st
- 2006 Bacardi Cup Star Class Regatta – 1st
- 2006 Western Hemisphere champion
- 2006 Grand Masters – 1st
- 2005 King of Spain Champion
- 2005 runner up Western Hemisphere Championships
- 2005 3rd North American Championships
- 2003 Bacardi Cup – 3rd
- 2002 Star Masters – 1st
- 2002 Runner up European Championship
- 2001 King of Spain Champion & Districts 3 & 5 Champion