Tom Whidden
Encyclopedia
Thomas A. Whidden is a sailor and sailmaker. He joined North Sails in 1986 and became President/CEO of North Marine Group when it was established ten years later. A graduate of Colby College
in Waterville, Maine
, Whidden has earned many accolades throughout his sailing
career including the "Carl Nelson Award" from Colby College for Athletic Achievement After College in 1989 and the University Club "Man of the Year" award in 1987. In 2006, Tom received the prestigious "A Life for Sailing" Award at the Trofeo Zegna Regatta in Portofino, Italy, which is given biennially to a person who has devoted their life and career to sailing.
Whidden's leadership in the design and manufacturing of technologically advanced sails at North Sails is significant. Since Whidden became president, every America's Cup
winner since 1992 and every Volvo Ocean Race
winner since 1993 has raced with North sails.
Whidden, who began sailing at age ten at the Cedar Point Yacht Club in Westport, Connecticut
, is one of the most experienced America's Cup sailors in the world. "When I was 16 my dream was to become a sailmaker
and race in the America's Cup," said Whidden of his years as a junior sailor on Long Island Sound. He has sailed with Dennis Conner
in a total of eight America's Cup campaigns, beginning in 1979 as Conner's trial horse skipper. He has raced as tactician in five America's Cup series races and has won the America's Cup three times (1980, 1987 and 1988.) Along with Conner, Whidden was given a key to New York City from Mayor Ed Koch in 1987 after bringing the America's Cup back to the United States from Australia. Whidden was inducted into the America's Cup Hall of Fame
in 2004.
Outside of the America's Cup arena, Whidden has won the Newport-Bermuda Race (Class A) five times and has won his class at Miami SORC five times and twice overall. He is the publisher and co-author of two books: The Art & Science of Sails and Championship Tactics. In 2005, he was featured in an article titled CEO Sailing on Forbes.com.
Tom and his wife Betsy live in Essex, Connecticut
.
Colby College
Colby College is a private liberal arts college located on Mayflower Hill in Waterville, Maine. Founded in 1813, it is the 12th-oldest independent liberal arts college in the United States...
in Waterville, Maine
Waterville, Maine
Waterville is a city in Kennebec County, Maine, United States, on the west bank of the Kennebec River. The population was 15,722 at the 2010 census. Home to Colby College and Thomas College, Waterville is the regional commercial, medical and cultural center....
, Whidden has earned many accolades throughout his sailing
Sailing
Sailing is the propulsion of a vehicle and the control of its movement with large foils called sails. By changing the rigging, rudder, and sometimes the keel or centre board, a sailor manages the force of the wind on the sails in order to move the boat relative to its surrounding medium and...
career including the "Carl Nelson Award" from Colby College for Athletic Achievement After College in 1989 and the University Club "Man of the Year" award in 1987. In 2006, Tom received the prestigious "A Life for Sailing" Award at the Trofeo Zegna Regatta in Portofino, Italy, which is given biennially to a person who has devoted their life and career to sailing.
Whidden's leadership in the design and manufacturing of technologically advanced sails at North Sails is significant. Since Whidden became president, every America's Cup
America's Cup
The America’s Cup is a trophy awarded to the winner of the America's Cup match races between two yachts. One yacht, known as the defender, represents the yacht club that currently holds the America's Cup and the second yacht, known as the challenger, represents the yacht club that is challenging...
winner since 1992 and every Volvo Ocean Race
Volvo Ocean Race
The Volvo Ocean Race is a yacht race around the world, held every three years. It is named after its current owner, Volvo...
winner since 1993 has raced with North sails.
Whidden, who began sailing at age ten at the Cedar Point Yacht Club in Westport, Connecticut
Westport, Connecticut
-Neighborhoods:* Saugatuck – around the Westport railroad station near the southwestern corner of the town – a built-up area with some restaurants, stores and offices....
, is one of the most experienced America's Cup sailors in the world. "When I was 16 my dream was to become a sailmaker
Sailmaker
A sailmaker makes and repairs sails for sailboats, kites, hang gliders, wind art, architectural sails, or other structures using sails. A sailmaker typically works on shore in a sail loft. The sail loft has other sailmakers. Large ocean-going sailing ships often had sailmakers in the crew. The...
and race in the America's Cup," said Whidden of his years as a junior sailor on Long Island Sound. He has sailed with Dennis Conner
Dennis Conner
Dennis Conner is an American yachtsman, noted for winning the bronze medal at the 1976 Olympics, two Star World Championships, and four wins in the America's Cup.-America's Cup:...
in a total of eight America's Cup campaigns, beginning in 1979 as Conner's trial horse skipper. He has raced as tactician in five America's Cup series races and has won the America's Cup three times (1980, 1987 and 1988.) Along with Conner, Whidden was given a key to New York City from Mayor Ed Koch in 1987 after bringing the America's Cup back to the United States from Australia. Whidden was inducted into the America's Cup Hall of Fame
America's Cup Hall of Fame
The America's Cup Hall of Fame, located at the Herreshoff Marine Museum of Bristol, Rhode Island, USA, honors individuals for outstanding achievement in the America's Cup sailing competition...
in 2004.
Outside of the America's Cup arena, Whidden has won the Newport-Bermuda Race (Class A) five times and has won his class at Miami SORC five times and twice overall. He is the publisher and co-author of two books: The Art & Science of Sails and Championship Tactics. In 2005, he was featured in an article titled CEO Sailing on Forbes.com.
Tom and his wife Betsy live in Essex, Connecticut
Essex, Connecticut
Essex is a town in Middlesex County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 6,505 at the 2000 census. It is made up of three villages: Essex Village, Centerbrook, and Ivoryton.- History :- The Great Attack :...
.