Swiss psychologist Carl Jung wrote that when Jesus Christ performed his heroic act and ascended into heaven, it gave the West a cultural role model. But because he disappeared at about age 35 (give or take), the West lacks someone to emulate once a person has completed a major life task.
Sir Russell Coutts is trying to figure out what comes after the heroic act, which he certainly achieved by reaching the top of competitive sailing’s all-time elite. Sir Russell now wants to take the opportunity to turn around and ensure the upcoming generation doesn’t make the same sailing and training mistakes he might have.
Sir Russell says he “probably won’t” be participating in the 36th America’s Cup regatta – likely to be held in Auckland sometime in 2021 – preferring instead to spend his time teaching at New Zealand’s smallest yacht clubs.
He is commodore at the Manly Yacht Club in Auckland’s Hibiscus Coast where he hopes to quadruple the number of junior members in the next two years – more than 90 are already on the books with a full waiting list. He is also involved with the Ravensbourne Yacht Club in Dunedin and the Wanaka Yacht and Powerboat Club, both close to his $13 million home in Central Otago.
The fruit of his mentorship is already showing. Sir Russell helped send three young Otago sailors to Lake Garda in Italy for the O’pen Bic world championships in 2016 and hopes more will qualify for the Rilean O’pen Bic NZ Nationals 2018 in Auckland.
One of New Zealand’s greatest sailors, two-time ISAF world sailor of the year and a gold medallist in the Finn Class at the 1984 Olympic Games, Sir Russell left Team New Zealand after its 2000 defence to join Swiss syndicate Alinghi, which defeated Team New Zealand in 2003.
He then joined Oracle Team USA in 2007, managing its 2010 triumph against Alinghi, the 2013 defence against Team New Zealand and its unsuccessful defence against the Kiwi group in Bermuda last year. But Sir Russell is investing heavily in New Zealand sailing once again and he has a lot of knowledge to pass on to some lucky future world-beaters.