Top 20 Boating Champions of All Time

Top 20 renowned international boating champions, categorized by gender:

Top 20 Men Boating Champions:

1. Sir Ben Ainslie (UK) – Multiple Olympic gold medalist, America’s Cup winner.
2. Dennis Conner (USA) – Four-time America’s Cup champion.
3. Paul Elvstrøm (Denmark) – 4-time Olympic gold medalist in sailing.
4. Russell Coutts (New Zealand) – 5-time America’s Cup winner.
5. Jimmy Spithill (Australia) – America’s Cup winner and known for his aggressive sailing style.
6. Gary Jobson (USA) – America’s Cup winner, ESPN commentator, and sailing ambassador.
7. Peter Burling (New Zealand) – Olympic gold medalist, America’s Cup champion.
8. Dean Barker (New Zealand) – America’s Cup sailor, multiple world championship titles.
9. Rodney John Pattison (UK) – 3-time Olympic medalist and multiple world championships.
10. Tom Slingsby (Australia) – Laser class Olympic gold medalist and world champion.
11. Nathan Outteridge (Australia) – Olympic medalist and America’s Cup champion.
12. Chris Draper (UK) – America’s Cup and Olympic medalist.
13. John Bertrand (Australia) – 1983 America’s Cup winner, Olympic silver medalist.
14. Charlie Enright (USA) – American ocean racer, Volvo Ocean Race participant.
15. Alex Thomson (UK) – Famous solo round-the-world yachtsman.
16. Michel Desjoyeaux (France) – 2-time Vendée Globe winner.
17. Franck Cammas (France) – Multiple America’s Cup, Volvo Ocean Race, and offshore victories.
18. Thierry Douillard (France) – Winner of numerous offshore and ocean races.
19. Ken Read (USA) – America’s Cup and world champion sailor.
20. Frankie Zachar (USA) – Multiple international regatta victories and world champion.

Top 20 Women Boating Champions:

1. Dawn Riley (USA) – First woman to race in both the America’s Cup and the Whitbread Round the World Race.
2. Samantha Davies (UK) – Vendée Globe competitor, solo sailor.
3. Tracy Edwards (UK) – First woman to skipper a boat in the Whitbread Round the World Race.
4. Anna Tunnicliffe (USA) – Olympic gold medalist and world champion in sailing.
5. Sophie de Turckheim (France) – Renowned for her achievements in offshore sailing.
6. Isabelle Joschke (Germany/France) – Competitive sailor and Vendée Globe competitor.
7. Jill McDonald (Australia) – Accomplished in offshore racing and sailing competitions.
8. Clarisse Crémer (France) – Solo sailor, Vendée Globe competitor.
9. Carolijn Brouwer (Netherlands) – Multiple world champion and accomplished in offshore racing.
10. Barbara Kendall (New Zealand) – 3-time Olympic medalist, world champion.
11. Lina Rivas (Colombia) – Renowned for her work in offshore and long-distance sailing.
12. Maud Fontenoy (France) – Famous for her solo transatlantic crossings.
13. Lorena Rojas (Mexico) – First woman to win the Copa del Mundo de Vela and significant in offshore racing.
14. Kate Wilson (UK) – Multiple world championships in sailing.
15. Lesley Abernathy (USA) – Known for her wins in long-distance races and world championships.
16. Simone Lamberts (Netherlands) – Olympic participant, renowned in regattas.
17. Pip Hare (UK) – Notable for her solo sailing endeavors, including the Vendée Globe.
18. Stephanie Hazard (New Zealand) – America’s Cup sailor, world championship competitor.
19. Yasuko Oshima (Japan) – Well known for her achievements in offshore and ocean racing.
20. Dee Caffari (UK) – First woman to sail solo around the world non-stop in both directions.

This list represents a mix of champions from Olympic to America’s Cup, solo racing, and round-the-world competitions, showcasing the global scope and diversity in boating achievements.