Willie McBride

Nickname: Big Willie
Age: 21
University: University California Santa Barbara Alum
Favorite Classes Sailed: F18, Melges 20

Having traveled to 18 countries for sailing in the most competitive youth one-design classes, competed on one of the top Melges 20 programs in the country, and coached the US Sailing Olympic Development Team, Willie is the mastermind behind the Quest For The Cup campaign, and is ready to break down the barriers between youth sailing and the elite America’s Cup.  Willie credits mentors like 3 time Olympian Chris Rast, and US Olympic team coach Leandro Spina for helping to develop his disciplined approach to sailing, which he brings to this team of extreme young athletes.

Willie has sailed with Oliver, Judge, Hans, and Kevin, coached Mac, and raced against Marly and Erika, and he thinks that the team cohesion will give Quest For The Cup: Team USA a leg up on the competition; ” We have raced with each other, against each other, and even coached each other – I don’t think a lot of the other teams have as much time together as we do, and that experience is going to be very valuable.”

Sailing Highlights
3rd at 2012 Charleston Race Week (Melges 20)
1st at 2012 Bacardi Cup (Melges 20)
3rd at 2012 Melges 20 Midwinters (Melges 20)
5th at 2011 29er European Championship
15th at 2010 420 World Championship
SBYSF Junior Program Director
US Sailing Development Team 2009

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