TOM DODSON RETURNS TO NORTH SAILS

Kiwi Sailing Legend A Key Hire For Supporting Superyacht Clients

Following a long career in sailing spanning two Olympic Games, numerous America’s Cup cycles and everything in between, native Kiwi Tom Dodson has rejoined North Sails as a Sales Expert with a particular focus on the vibrant superyacht segment. Based out of New Zealand, Dodson will bring his knowledge and expertise to an already impressive team and will work with superyacht owners and crews around the world including regattas in the Caribbean and Mediterranean, ahead of the expected influx to the Pacific in time for the 2021 America’s Cup in Auckland.

Having first joined North Sails New Zealand as Managing Partner back in 1986, he left to join Team New Zealand in 1998 then joined Southern Spars as President in 2004. The well-known sailor has retained his connection with North Sails over his years as a professional in the sport, and now brings his wealth of experience back to the company to help to continue to grow the highly successful superyacht sails part of the business.

“In some ways, I never really left,” Dodson says. “I’ve always supported the company, its products, and people. The North team has been doing a great job, but what we see in the next few years is that there is going to be a lot more traffic coming down to New Zealand around the America’s Cup, and definitely lots more superyacht activity in the region. Through sailing on boats like Velsheda and Silvertip I have kept up with the latest products and what’s happening in these fleets and I am really looking forward to working with the team at North Sails on how we can help clients have the very best sails for whatever sailing they want to do.”

Ken Read, President of North Sails, commented: “We have an unrivaled breadth and depth of talent here at North Sails, from designers and materials experts through to sailors and our sales team. Tom Dodson is a consummate and seasoned professional, who ever since he first joined the company in the 1980s has remained part of the wider North Sails family. As a business we have focused on building for the future and investing in technology and innovation so that we stay at the very forefront of the industry but we have also invested in our people, and Tom Dodson coming back to join us is testament to this long term relationship we have with the people that work with us.”

Jens Christensen, North Sails superyacht segment leader, said: “We are pushing boundaries in the superyacht industry, leading the way with new products and striving for the ultimate customer service experience. But we can only deliver the type of world-class service to complement the hardware if we have the best people working for us. We pride ourselves on making sure that we understand the individual needs of all types of boats and sailors, and are able to support them across the world with continuity and consistency of product offering and maintenance. We are delighted that Tom joins us to help us continue our work at our superyacht centers of excellence around the world, showcasing the best of the best talent in the superyacht industry.”