David Barnes (sailor)

Early years

Barnes attended Tawa College. He married Karen in 1986 and has three children Jason Sacha and Logan.

Sailing career

He skippered the KZ1 yacht which lost to the United States in the 1988 America's Cup race.

Career achievements

1973 Won the Tanner and Tauranga Cups PClass

1974 Won the National Championship Starling Class

1975 Third in World Youth Championship 420 Class

1976 Third in World Youth Championship Fireball Class

1976 Reserve for the Olympics 470 Class

1981 Won the World Championship 470 Class

1983 Won the World Championship 470 Class

1984 Won the World Championship 470 Class

1985 NZ America’s Cup Challenge in Perth / Skipper KZ5 / Alternate Helmsman KZ7

1987 Skipper for KZ7 / won the 12 metre Worlds in Sardinia

1988 NZ America’s Cup Challenge in San Diego / Skipper of KZ-1 New Zealand vs Dennis Conner’s catamaran Stars & Stripes US-1.

1992 NZ America’s Cup Challenge in San Diego / Tactician to Rod Davis / One of four directors for the campaign

1995 America’s Cup Challenge with One Australia / Testing Helmsman / Part of “Fluid Thinking” design team

1996 Employed by James Farmer QC / Organised and supervised construction of his Mumm 36 Keelboat / Skipper for the campaign

2000 America’s Cup Challenge with America True / Skippered one of the boats through the testing program / Conceptual Director

2003 America’s Cup Challenge with GBR / General Manager

Later years

Barnes was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. In 2013 he became involved with Kiwi Gold Sailing, a group of paralympians attempting to qualify a Sonar for the 2016 Paralympics. The team included fellow America's Cup veteran Rick Dodson. However, Barnes' condition later worsened and he withdrew from the team in 2014.