Russell Coutts

Profession: Yachtsman

Nationality:

Biography: Sir Russell Coutts is an outstanding New Zealand yachtsman.

He won a gold medal in the Finn Class at the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 1984 but he really made his name in America's Cup racing, leading Team New Zealand to a stunning 5-0 sweep of the United States in 1995, his country’s first America’s Cup triumph.

In 2000 Coutts led Team NZ's famous yacht 'Black Magic' to the first-ever America’s Cup defense by non-Americans. Always controversial, Coutts then left Team NZ to prepare Switzerland’s Team Alinghi to successfully challenge for the 2003 America’s Cup against Team NZ.

Coutts took his America's Cup tally to 5 when as CEO of the American Oracle Team he guided the organisation to victory in 2010 and 2013.

These America's Cup triumphs followed on from an extraordinary series of international victories including the Nippon Cup, the Bermuda Cup and 3 World Match Racing championships in 1992, 1993 and 1996.

Coutts was honoured with the ISAF World Sailor of the Year Award in 1995 and 2003 and was elevated to Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2009.

Born: March 1, 1962
Birthplace: Wellington, New Zealand
Age: 62 years old

Generation: Baby Boomer
Chinese Zodiac: Tiger
Star Sign: Pisces