The Massachusetts-born Read has twice been at the helm of National Sailing Hall of Famer Dennis Conner’s America’s Cup campaigns in 2000 and 2003. He was named US Sailing’s Rolex Yachtsman of the Year twice, has won nine World Championships, and has been involved with 46 North American, National and World Championship wins. He is a three-time Collegiate All-American, 1982’s College Sailor of the Year, and as of 2017 he still holds the record for most J/24 World Championship wins as a skipper (six).

Read grew up sailing in Barrington, Rhode Island. He is a graduate of Boston University, where he was a three-time collegiate All-American and 1982 College Sailor of the Year. He is a member of the Boston University Athletic Hall of Fame.

After skippering two Volvo Ocean Races, Ken has returned to his business and sailmaking roots as President of North Sails Group and Executive Vice President of North Technology Group.  While running one of sailing’s most prestigious brands. he is still very active sailing and winning in a variety of classes.  Read has also become an ambassador for the sport of sailing, serving as color commentator for NBC Sports during the 34^th and 35^th America’s Cups.

Updated Oct 2022:

Sailing Career Highlights
• 1985 Rolex Yachtsman of the Year
• 1996 Rolex Yachtsman of the Year
• RI Marine Trade Association- 2010 John H. Chafee Boater of the Year (Anchor Award)
• Storm Trysail Club- 2016 James Mertz Memorial Trophy Rendering Outstanding Performance
• 1992 Arthur B Hanson Rescue Medal

Inducted to:
• Boston University Athletic Hall of Fame
• Newport, Rhode Island Athletic Hall of Fame
• Providence Country Day School Athletic Hall of Fame

College Sailing Career
• 1982 College Sailor of the Year
• 1981 Inter Collegiate All American
• 1982 Inter Collegiate All American
• 1983 Inter Collegiate All American
• 1982 Inter Collegiate Sloop National Champion
• 1982 Inter Collegiate Dinghy National Champion and winner of B Division
• 1982 Inter Collegiate Team Racing Champion

Major Event Highlights
• E-22 World Champion (skipper)
• 2-time E-22 North American Champion
• 2-time Corel 45 World Champion “Atalanti X” (skipper)
• 6-time J-24 World Champion (skipper)
• 4-time J-24 North American Champion (skipper)
• 12 Meter World Champion “Challenge 12” (tactician)
• 2022 ORC World Champion “Beau Geste” (helmsman/tactician)
• 1997 Admirals Cup Winner for the United States and top overall scoring yacht “Flash Gordon” (skipper)
• Lightning North American Champion (crew)
• Yngling North American Champion (crew)
• J-30 North American Champion (crew)
• J-35 North American Champion (tactician)
• 4-time 12 Meter North American Champion “Challenge 12” (tactician)
• J-24 Team Race World Champion (skipper)
• Melges 24 Gold Cup champion (skipper)
• Mumm 36 North American Champion “Pigs in Space” (helmsman)
• IMS North American Champion “Flash Gordon” (skipper)

Volvo Ocean Race
• 3-time Volvo Ocean Race participant, 2-time Skipper
• 2008-2009 2nd overall, “PUMA’s il mostro” (skipper and CEO)
• 2011-2012 3rd overall, “PUMA’s mar mostro” (skipper and CEO)

America’s Cup
• 1994-1995 PACT 95 strategist and Sailing Coach
• 1999-2000 Team Dennis Conner “Stars and Stripes” (helmsman)
• 2002-2003 Team Dennis Conner “Stars and Stripes” (helmsman)

Columnist
• Yacht Racing/Cruising
• Sailing World
• Yachting
• Sail
• Seahorse
• Providence Journal

Television America’s Cup Analyst
• 2012 America’s Cup World Series Color Commentator, ACTV global telecast
• 2013 America’s Cup Trials and AC Finals Color Commentator, ACTV global telecast and NBC Sports
• 2016 America’s Cup World Series Color Commentator, ACTV global telecast
• 2017 America’s Cup Trials and AC Finals Color Commentator, ACTV global telecast
• 2021 America’s Cup Trials and AC Finals Color Commentator, ACTV global telecast

Sailing Event “Spot” Analyst
• Volvo Ocean Race
• Congressional Cup
• Ocean Race Europe
• New York Yacht Club’s Invitational Cup

Other Major Regatta Wins
• 1st Overall 2011 Transatlantic Race “il mostro” (skipper)
• 1st Elapsed time Transpac Race “Comanche” (skipper)
• 1st Elapsed time Fastnet Race “Stealth” (skipper)
• 1st Elapsed time Fastnet Race “Comanche” (skipper)
• 1st Elapsed time Middle Sea Race “Rambler” (sailing master)
• 1st Elapsed time Caribbean 600 “Rambler 100” (sailing master)
• 1st Elapsed time Caribbean 600 “Comanche” (skipper)
• 1st Elapsed time Sydney Hobart Race “Comanche” (skipper)
• 1st Elapsed time Fastnet Race “Stealth” (helmsman)
• 2-time Elapsed time winner Chicago Mac Race “il mostro” (helmsman)
• 1st Elapsed time Chicago Mac Race “Renegade” (helmsman)
• 1st Overall handicap, Chicago Mac Race “Esmeralda” (skipper)
• 1st in class, Rolex Maxi Worlds “All-Smoke”
• Multi time Key West Race week class winner
• Multi time Block Island Race Week class winner
• 1st Elapsed time Bermuda Race “Sagamore” (sailing master)
• 1st Elapsed time Bermuda Race “Carrera” (skipper)
• 1st Elapsed time Bermuda Race “Comanche” (skipper)
• 1st Overall handicap Jamaica Race “Esmeralda” (skipper)
• 1st Overall handicap Jamaica Race “Prospector” (helmsman)
• 1st Elapsed time Cabo Race “Pyewacket 70” (helmsman)
• 1st Overall handicap Cabo Race “Pyewacket 70” (helmsman)
• 1st Overall handicap, Venona Trophy Around Martha’s Vineyard Race “Alchemist” (skipper)
• 1st Elapsed time Block Island Race “Carrera” (skipper)
• 1st Elapsed time Block Island Race “Comanche” (skipper)
• 1st Overall handicap Block Island Race “Comanche” (skipper)
• 1st Nations Cup Swan 50 “Cordelione” (tactician)
• 1st TP 52 20th Anniversary Regatta Beau Geste (helmsman)
• 1st Congressional Cup Match Racing Regatta (skipper)

Current Records held
• Comanche, 24 hour monohull distance record of 618 miles (skipper)
• Comanche, Bermuda Race elapsed time record (skipper)
• Comanche, Transpac elapsed time record (skipper)
• Comanche, Transatlantic Monohull Record (project manager)
• Comanche, Block Island Race elapsed time record (skipper)
• Pyewacket 70, Cabo Race elapsed time Record (helmsman)
• Il Mostro, Bayview Mac elapsed time record (helmsman)

Doublehanded Racing since 2020
• Undefeated
• 2 time Ida Lewis Distance Race winner
• 3 time New England Solo Twin winner
• Around Martha’s Vineyard Race winner
• Ft Lauderdale to Key West Race winner

Superyachts
• 3 time winner St Barths Bucket J Class “Hanuman” (skipper) and Svea (strategist)
• 2nd J-Class world Championship “Hanuman” (skipper)
• 1st Palma Super yacht Cup “Hanuman” (skipper)
• 1st Rolex Maxi Worlds J Class “Svea” (strategist)

Business Career Highlights
• 1983-1985 Shore Sails, sales and marketing
• 1985-1992 Co-owner Shore Sails Newport RI
• 1993-1996 Co-owner Sobstad Sails Newport RI
• 1997-present North Sails in multiple rolls which include:
Sales Manager
Vice President
2013-present President
2018-present Executive Vice President North Technology Group

Supporter to:
• Sail Newport
• Oliver Hazard Perry Foundation
• NYYC Future Planning Committee
• NYYC Board of Trustee’s
• NYYC America’s Cup Committee
• NYYC Sailing Committee
• Yacht Club and Corporate Speaker

Additional Accomplishments and Honors: