President, North Sails

Ken Read

Ken Read is one of the world’s most accomplished and celebrated sailors. He has twice been at the helm of Dennis Conner’s America’s Cup programs and

he was named ‘United States Rolex Yachtsman of the Year’ on two occasions. He has won over fifty National, North American and World Championships to date.  

Ken joined North Sails in 1996, upon the acquisition of the sail loft he owned with current North CEO Dan Neri. The lure of North’s technology and specifically their new 3DL sails was strong at the time as Ken was concentrating on the performance side of the sport.  

After skippering two podium finishes in the Volvo Ocean Races (2008-2009/ 2011-2012), Ken returned to his business and sailmaking roots as President of North Sails in 2013, and more recently has added the title of Executive Vice President of North Technology Group. While running one of sailing’s most prestigious brands he has continued to be very active in sailing.  Amongst a long list of top podium finishes, he has been with teams that have been first to finish in nearly all of the major offshore racing classics and broken a number of world records, including the 24 hour monohull distance/speed record that still stands.  

Read served as a color commentator for NBC Sports at the 34th America’s Cup as well as commentator for America’s Cup TV for the 34^th and 35^th editions of the world-famous event. He is scheduled to return to TV screens for the 2021 America’s Cup.