Tom McLaughlin (Part 1) on driving an America's Cup boat, surviving the '79 Fastnet, and sail design evolution

Tom McLaughlin's sailing career is enviable. Growing up in San Diego - then the hotbed of offshore racers -Tom was mentored by Dennis Connor, Buddy Melges and Lowell North. He’s raced in multiple Admirals Cups including the infamous 1979 Fastnet race, and gained deep experience of the America’s Cup through two challenger campaigns - he was training helmsmen racing for John Kolius in the New York Yacht Club's 1985 America II campaign, and Sailing Director of the 2007 AREVA Challenge in Valencia with Dawn Riley.  All during a long career at North Sails. Tom's tenure in racing boats also includes maxis and super yachts, today however he's has found contentment racing Lido 14 one designs in Portland, Oregon.  In Part 1 we’ll hear Tom’s experience of the 1979 Fastnet tragedy, the evolution of sail design and its impact on racing performance, and the America II campaign.