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Deceased , Modern
Jim
Allsopp
1944 – 2016
Jim Allsopp won the Star World Championship and the Star Europeans in 1976. He also sailed on three America’s Cup Campaigns, the Whitbread ‘Round the World Race, and had extensive experience on Maxis and European superyachts. Soon after winning the Star World Championships, Jim became one of the last “Tigers” hired by Lowell North . Over the next 35 years, Allsopp made significant contributions to sailboat racing, sail development, and international relations as he rose from sailmaker to Director of Marketing for North Sails. During those 35 years at North, Jim sailed a wide range of boats. He was passionate, not just about winning races in sailboats, but about sailing with people and encouraging them in their sailing endeavors. His knowledge of sailing, coupled with his friendly, outgoing nature, made Jim not only an excellent salesperson for North Sails, but a valuable crew member, advisor and coach as well. After winning the Star Worlds, Jim was asked to trim main on Lowell North’s America’s Cup boat, Enterprise. He then went to work for North and he did extensive America’s Cup sailing over the next several years, including as sail coordinator and mainsail trimmer on Clipper and later as navigator on Eagle. From the America’s Cup, he went on to other big boat programs, where he quickly established himself as someone who could get on any boat and make it go fast. His ability to listen and to use humor to unite crews endeared him to boat owners, and over the years he has become highly sought after to be a member of the afterguard on everything from George Collins’ Whitbread entry, Chessie Racing, to King Juan Carlos of Spain’s yacht Bribon, on which he won the Copa del Rey Regatta. While sailing with the King of Spain, Jim worked closely with many Spanish programs, opening doors of communication and even assisting with the opening of the North loft in Spain. Well into his retirement, Jim was in demand as a tactician and strategist, especially in the superyacht scene, where he was a tactician aboard the 180’ Elena, 98’ Wavelength, and the 130’ J Class yacht Shamrock. Sailing-Related Accomplishments
Preserving America’s Sailing Legacy
Engaging Sailing’s Next Generation
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