Grant Dalton, known throughout the sailing world and beyond for his exploits over two decades in round-the-world ocean yacht racing, in 2003 turned his attention to the America’s Cup when he was called to restructure Emirates Team New Zealand after its loss of the America’s Cup. Dalton’s mission was to rebuild and revitalize the team and mount a credible challenge for the America’s Cup again.

It was a major undertaking, but one that he came close to accomplishing at Valencia in 2007, winning the Louis Vuitton Cup and challenging Alinghi for the America’s Cup.

In the process Dalton restored pride and passion to top-level sailing in New Zealand, gained international respect for Emirates Team New Zealand and wrote a thrilling chapter in America’s Cup history.  

The team had great years in 2009 and 2010, winning the Audi Med Cup season championships twice in a row.  The team won four of the five Louis Vuitton regattas in that time.

And in 2010 the team partnered with Camper, the international Spanish shoe brand, to mount a campaign for the Volvo Ocean Race finishing 2nd overall.

In 2011-12, meeting the challenge of an America’s Cup to be raced in catamarans, the team was first overall in the America’s Cup World Series AC45 regattas. He led the team through one of the most transformational innovations in the sport of sailing, when Emirates Team New Zealand bought foiling into the America’s Cup. Winning the Louis Vuitton Cup again, before losing the now infamous 34th America’s Cup match against Oracle Team USA.

After a torrid period of rebuilding the team after the devastating loss, Dalton and his management refreshed the team with a new culture of youth, focus and innovation.
The result was an overwhelming victory against Oracle Team USA in Bermuda the America’s Cup returning to New Zealand’s shores after 14 years.

Dalton thrives on the challenge of creating a campaign: designing and building the boats, creating a team, attending to sponsorship and marketing demands and managing the business but now, with regret, finding less time for competitive sailing.

Since winning the America’s Cup in 2017, Dalton has also lead the event organisation responsibilities of holding the America’s Cup- America’s Cup Events in Auckland for AC36 and now in Barcelona for the 37th America’s Cup.

BRIEF SAILING HISTORY
-    7 x Round the World Races
-    3 x Round the world race wins 
-    1 x Non Stop round the world Record Holder
-    3 x Winner of Louis Vuitton Challenger Selection Series (2007, 2013, 2017)
-    2 x Winner of America’s Cup (2017, 2021)
 

Fuente: America's Cup Event