Interview with the legendary sailor Ken Read

From a humble sail-making background in his hometown of Newport to the world stage as one of the most celebrated sailors of our time, there are few people who deserve a shorter introduction than Ken Read. As a globally recognised face from three Americas Cup campaigns and tearing up the worlds oceans during as many Volvo Ocean Races, Reads experience in the field is second to none. I met up with the man himself during the recent St Barths Bucket to find out how a lifetime of competitive sailing and gruelling ocean races makes him one of the most valuable and trusted ambassadors for the super sailing yacht business today.

As President of North Sails, one of the worlds largest sail suppliers to super sailors, Read is no stranger to the glamorous side of the business, regularly attending some of the most prestigious events on the yachting calendar. But he is not simply here on the jet set Caribbean island to represent the North Sails name and sip champagne. Read is on a lifelong mission to ensure the longevity of the sailing superyacht business and actively throws himself into the superyacht sailing lifestyle as enthusiastically as he did during his competitive career.

'What can we do to change the ratio of motor yachts to sailing yachts in your publication? he asks me as he scans through the latest motor yacht-rich issue of The SuperYacht Times newspaper. Sailing is Reads life. From being drafted by a sailmaker after excelling at sailing in college, to being awarded the US Rolex....