Nick Turney
Sailor of the Week: October 28 - November 3
Nick Turney, manager of the North Sails Cleveland office, is the latest keynote presenter announced to speak at US SAILING’s 2010 One-Design Symposium (ODSS), held on November 13-14 at the Balboa Yacht Club in Corona del Mar, Calif. Nick has five Go Fast Workshops scheduled for the symposium. Topics include sail trim and shape analysis, reading the wind and weather patterns, preparation for events both physically and mentally, and tactics and strategy.
“I have learned a lot form listening to other sailors talk about similar topics and I am a big believer that the more you can expose yourself to information and opinions of other sailors the better you get,” explained Nick. “Even if people take one thing away, that’s one more than they had before.”
Nick has been with North Sails for nearly three years. As the manager of the Cleveland office, Nick heads an operation that does everything from big boat sales, one-design sales, sail repair services, rigging, consultations, coaching, and clinics. Nick is very active in the North Sails One-Design division. He takes the lead for the Highlander, Tarten Ten, Arrow, and Interlake classes.
Nick’s first sail was when he was just six months old with his parents and grandparents on their Tartan 33r. He started racing optimist dinghies at the North Cape Yacht Club in Michigan when he was six. His grandparents lived on a 40 foot sail boat for 13 years in the Caribbean.
“My grandparents raced PHRF boats for most of their life and have had a huge impact on my life, and I think they are the main reason why I enjoy sailing so much,” he mentioned. Nick’s grandfather, who passed away recently, was a mentor to Nick. “He taught me that sailing has to be fun, as soon as it’s not fun anymore you need to find something else to do. He made it fun for me and we won a lot doing it.”
Nick agrees how important it is to give back the sport. He works with the North Coast Women’s Sailing Association in encouraging more women to learn how to sail. The program has experienced a high growth rate with beginners.
“The friendships I have made through sailing are genuine,” Nick reflected. “The sport can take you all over the world, or you can enjoy the sport right in your own back yard.”
Nick’s favorite class is the Lightning. He is excited to team up with Ryan Ruhlman for the 2011 Lightning World Championships in Brazil. He is also training for the 2011 J/22 World Championships at the Southern Yacht Club in New Orleans next October.
“I am very blessed to have this job with North Sails, which requires me to sail as much as possible. Every weekend I am traveling or competing in a regatta somewhere… It’s great!”