Jon Andron
Sailor of the Week – Jon Andron August 23-29, 2012
As part of US Sailing’s Greatest American Sailor Sweepstakes, Jon Andron was awarded a special opportunity last week to ride with the Artemis Racing Team - Red on San Francisco Bay at the America’s Cup World Series event. Andron is no stranger to elite big boat racing, but this experience to race on an AC45 catamaran was especially unique.
In the 1970 America’s Cup, Andron served as the foredeck boss on Intrepid. Andron is a former 505 North American Champion and has competed in 15 Transpac Races, including several with Stan Honey. “I’ve raced with Dennis Conner, Lowell North and others before top level yacht racing became professionalized,” said Andron.
Andron commented on what it was like to race in the AC45 catamaran. “These boats are not designed for anyone to ride on,” he said. “The trampoline is narrow in the back and it’s a trick not to fall off. Although, the ride was smoother than I expected. We were going about 20 to 30 knots, and I noticed how the boat accelerates, similar to how a car accelerates at a traffic stoplight.”
Andron also commented on the crew he raced with. “These guys are pros and their jobs are on the line. Nobody wanted to make a mistake,” he added.
View these photos of Jon Andron racing with Artemis Racing Team - Red last week in San Francisco. Photos credited to Gilles Martin-Raget / America's Cup.
