SailGP Highlights
- Event Wins - 2
SailGP
Neil Hunter was the youngest sailor to compete in the 35th America’s Cup in Bermuda in 2017, where he was also part of the British team that won the Youth America’s Cup. He subsequently competed in the 36th America’s Cup in Auckland earlier this year. This is his third consecutive season with Emirates Team GBR.
Youth
Hunter grew up on the Isle of Arran on Scotland’s west coast so was never too far from the sea. His racing career began at the age of 13, firstly in the RS Fevas, but quickly progressing into the International 420 youth class and Scottish RYA’s 420 squad, then onto the 29er class.
At the age of 18, Hunter got a 49er, training every weekend while studying a degree in Naval Architecture at Glasgow University.
Career
The training paid off when he made a breakthrough at the 2014 ISAF World Championships in Santander beating all the development squad and podium potentials at the event. He was then invited to join the British Sailing Team squad, moving to Weymouth in 2014 before going on to be 49er national champion in 2014 and 2015.
In 2016, Hunter joined the youth team at Ben Ainslie’s America’s Cup team competing in the Extreme Sailing Series team. His talent was quickly spotted and he received the call up to compete as grinder on the British challenger during the 35th America’s Cup - he was the youngest competitor at the event.