American Breaks Through to the Show

Bora Gulari

In the absence of an American America’s Cup team making a determined commitment to American sailors, the next best opportunity to compete in a highly technical, highly competitive, highly professional playing field may be the TP52 class and its 52 Super Series.

And one American just broke through to the Show.

Quantum Racing, reigning and three-time winner of the 52 Super Series and five-time TP52 World Champion, has signed American Bora Gulari for the 2017 52 Super Series season.

Gulari will join the team at the first event at Quantum Key West Race Week in which he will serve as strategist for owner-driver Doug Devos. However, Gulari is scheduled to take the helm in March with the Super Series Miami Royal Cup and will fill a very similar role as Ed Baird had over the past few years with Devos’ involvement.

Gulari represented USA at the Rio 2016 Olympics in the Nacra 17 and has won two Moth World Championships. He’s also the current Melges 24 US National Champion and is preparing for the Melges 24 Worlds later this month. Gulari was named 2009 Rolex US Yachtsman of the Year.

Gulari’s experience on the TP52 goes back to 2009 and includes Steve and Heidi Benjamin’s TP52 Spookie and the helmsman position for Phil and Sharon O’Niel’s Natalie J, a Michigan-based 52. Gulari was also set to sail in the 35th America’s Cup aboard the Italian boat Luna Rossa before they withdrew from the competition.

“The opportunity to be part of the best grand prix team around is awesome,” shared Gulari. “I’m honored and excited to get on the boat. I can’t wait to get on with it!” When asked about his small boat sailing, Gulari says that will continue as well. “I have some unfinished work in the Olympic catamaran, and the Moth sailing keeps the skills sharp.”

The search for a new helmsman/strategist was launched with Ed Baird making the shift to work with Tony Langley’s Gladiator for 2017.

“This choice may surprise people due to Bora’s reputation in multihulls and foiling,” says Quantum Racing manager Ed Reynolds, “but when you look at what’s he’s done on the 52s, you realize Bora is one of the most versatile and top performing sailors out there. We’re very confident he’ll be able to fit in this role, but everyone knows you don’t replace a guy like Ed Baird.”

Source: Quantum Sails