In Grand Prix circles, few jobs titles exert more pressure on their bearers than that of tactician. In 2007, Terry Hutchinson, then-tactician for Team New Zealand, felt just how heavy of a burden that title can be when his team lost a final America’s Cup battle to Alinghi by a mere 1 second.
Flash forward to 2008 and Mr. Hutchinson was back in force, first winning Key West Race Week about the well-sailed Farr 40 Barking Mad, then winning the TP52 World Championships as skipper aboard Quantum Racing, and then finally winning the Melges 24 Nationals as tactician. As a result of these victories, Hutchinson received the coveted 2008 Rolex/US Sailing Yachtsman of the Year Award on February 27, 2009. Consider his axe ground.
SAIL’ss Senior Editor David Schmidt caught up with Terry at the New York Yacht Club’s storied Model room, minutes prior to Mr. Hutchinson receiving his new Rolex and delivering a heart-felt acceptance speech. This interview is available as a podcast. Download the interview to hear Hutchinson’s thoughts on his successful 2008, the sorry state of the America’s Cup, and a look at his 2009 sailing plans.
