Matt is an America’s Cup veteran having sailed in three campaigns now, and is a hugely experienced all round sailor in both monohulls and multi-hulls. He has won multiple titles and was a part of the current Match Racing World Champion team with Ben Ainslie last year, and has competed on the Med Cup circuit for five years and also the Extreme 40’s, taking 2nd place.
Having sailed with Areva Challenge in 2005, he stayed with the team through the Louis Vuitton Cup series in Valencia 2007, and competed in all of the ‘Acts’ leading up to this. Afterwards he rejoined the new Team Origin and spent the past years sailing with them across all of the competitive activities.
He has a diploma in Yacht Manufacturing Management from Solent University, and is used to managing many operations of the crew ashore, taking pride in the many refits and crew operations he has been responsible for.
Matt brings a wealth of expertise and experience to the team, and has quickly adapted to the more physically demanding AC45’s. After the first two weeks training which included a capsize, he said, ‘’these boats are very demanding and we are using up a lot of energy, but they are very quick to accelerate, and are extremely fast when they get going – fantastic fun. I am really looking forward to the AC World Series and all the challenges related to that’’.
Career Highlights
2011
- Loro Piana with Highland Fling – 1st
2010:
- World Match Racing Tour with Teamorigin/Ben Ainslie – World Champions
- Monsoon Cup with Teamorigin/Ben Ainslie – 1st
- Australia Match Cup with Teamorigin/Ben Ainslie – 2nd
- TP52 Med Cup with Teamorigin – 4th overall
- Match Cup Sweden with Teamorigin/Ben Ainslie – 1st
- Louis Vuitton Trophy La Madalena with Teamorigin
- Marseille International Match Race with Teamorigin/Ben Ainslie – 2nd
- Louis Vuitton Trophy New Zealand with Teamorigin
- Omega Auckland Match Race with Teamorigin/Ben Ainslie – 2nd
2009:
- World Match Racing Tour – Teamorigin/Ben Ainslie – 3rd overall
- Monsoon Cup with Teamorigin/Ben Ainslie – 2nd
- Bermuda Gold Cup with Teamorigin/Ben Ainslie – 1st
- 6th North American Tornado Championships
- Korean Match Cup with Teamorigin/Ben Ainslie – 3rd
- Match Race Germany with Teamorigin/Ben Ainslie – 1st
- Maxi Worlds with Alfa Romeo – 1st Mini Maxi Div
- Copa Del Rey with Alfa Romeo – 1st
- Louis Vuitton Pacific Series with Teamorigin
2008
- NZ Match Race Nationals with Teamorigin/Ben Ainslie – 2nd
- Bermuda Gold Cup with Teamorigin/Ben Ainslie – 3rd
- Round the Island Race with Teamorigin Extreme 40 – 1st, Set the record
- iShares Cup with Teamorigin – 2nd overall
- Etreme 40’s Kiel with Teamorigin – 2nd
- Etreme 40’s Cowes with Teamorigin – 2nd
- Etreme 40’s Hyeres with Teamorigin – 2nd
- Etreme 40’s Lake Lugano with Teamorigin – 2nd
- TP52 Med Cup and World Championships with Cristabella
2007:
- TP52 Med Cup with Cristabella
- The America’s Cup with Areva Challenge
2006:
- TP52 Med Cup with Cristabella – 4th overall
2004:
- Sydney Hobart Race on Aera – 1st overall
2002:
- The America’s Cup with GBR Challenge
2001:
- Fastnet Race on Zaraffa – 2nd overall, 1st in class