Please select your home edition
Edition
McDYachts_Pyewacket-for-Sale_1456x180 TOP

Ken Read named as new President of North Sails Group

by Sail-World on 13 Dec 2012
Ken Read (centre) Volvo Ocean Race - Skippers Media Conference, March 16, 2012 Richard Gladwell www.photosport.co.nz

North Sails announced today that Volvo Ocean Race skipper and veteran sailmaker Ken Read will return to North Sails in the role of president in early January, 2013. Read will take over for current president Gary Weisman, who has served at the helm of the world's largest sailmaker for 16 years, and who plans to retire within the next 4 months.

'This is an important and exciting time in the world of sailing, sailmaking and in the history of North Sails,' said North Technology Group CEO Tom Whidden. 'We are absolutely thrilled to have Kenny back in the mix transitioning into the role of North’s president.'

'Gary has done an absolutely fantastic job and he will be missed dearly by not only me, but all North Sails employees who have gotten to know him so well during his 39-year career at North,' Whidden continued. 'Gary plans to stay involved with the company in the short-term and he and Kenny will work closely to make the transition as seamless as possible.'

Read started working for North Sails in 1996, yet has taken four sabbaticals to participate in some of sailing’s elite events. He was the CEO of PUMA Ocean Racing and skippered PUMA’s Mar Mostro during the 2011-12 Volvo Ocean Race (VOR) and il mostro in the 2008-09 edition of what is known as the 'world's toughest sailboat race.' Prior to the Volvo Race, Read skippered two America's Cup teams for Dennis Conner on Stars & Stripes in 2000 and 2003.

'Sailing has been my lifeblood since I was very young and it's such an honor to return to what I consider the marine industry's top brand' said Read, who has been involved with the sailmaking industry for 29 years. 'My number one goal is to continue to build on the success of North Sails, which includes helping to educate sailors about the technology behind every North sail that is designed and delivered,' continued Read, who will be based in Newport, RI. 'But I also want to help the sport of sailing grow here in the United States. After sailing around the world twice, I have visited dozens of countries where sailing is huge. In Europe, the South Pacific, South America, and even the Far East, sailing is equivalent to football and baseball here in the U.S. and I will work hard to help make our sport more visible so everyone in the sailing industry can benefit,' he said. 'I look forward to getting back into the business of selling and developing North Sails products. I've been the largest North Sails customer in North America for the past six years so I have a unique perspective on how North Sails works from the inside and outside, and where there are possibilities for improvement.'

Gary Weisman, who started working for North Sails in 1974, has bittersweet emotions about stepping down as president. 'A part of me is really sad to leave this company that has allowed me to sail with some amazing people and be part of building what is now the biggest and most technologically advanced sailmaking company in the world,' Weisman said. 'But another part of me is excited to hand over the reins to a very capable and well-known sailmaker and sailor - Ken Read - who I know will do a remarkable job. When I look back on my years here at North, I have some great memories and will always be thankful to Lowell North who hired me nearly 39 years ago and to Terry Kohler who invested in all of us and helped grow North Sails to what it is today,' Weisman concluded.

About North Sails: North Sails has become the worldwide leader in sailmaking through an ongoing commitment to designing and building sails that are faster, lighter and longer lasting than any other sails in the world. In 1992, North Sails introduced 3DL and more recently introduced 3Di, both revolutionary sailmaking technologies that thermo-mold sails as a unitary membrane on full-sized 3-dimensional molds. North Sails is part of North Technology Group, LLC, a diverse family of companies serving marine and manufacturing markets worldwide. Each was founded on the principle of delivering advanced performance through superior technology. For more information, visit: http://www.northsails.com

Stoneways Marine 2021 - FOOTERDoyle_SailWorld_728X90px_GP BOTTOMLloyd Stevenson - AC INEOS 1456x180px BOTTOM

Related Articles

Rolex Middle Sea Race Day 2
Leaders Raise the Tempo The 2025 Rolex Middle Sea Race is now over 24 hours in. On the plus side there has been no repeat of last year's heinous first night, and the fleet is making steady progress.
Posted today at 7:41 pm
iQFOiL Youth & Junior Europeans 2025 day 1
Promising breeze, top performances and high expectations as racing gets underway in Sardinia The 2025 iQFOiL Youth & Junior European Championships officially got under way today in Arzachena, North Sardinia, with 306 athletes from 28 nations ready to battle it out on the pristine waters of this beautiful area.
Posted today at 5:58 pm
A shout out to the Clubs and Classes
Gratitude to the clubs who go above and beyond arranging championships As the UK's sailing season draws to a close, we in the National Firefly fleet reflect on the enormous amount of gratitude we have for all our nations sailing clubs that go above and beyond in arranging our national championships, year in year out!
Posted today at 1:30 pm
boot Düsseldorf 2026: Setting sail for new shores
Many international shipyards and dealers will once again be presenting their portfolios Many international shipyards and dealers will once again be using the world's number one international boat and water sports trade fair in 2026 to present their portfolios.
Posted today at 11:00 am
WASZP EuroCup Final at Barcelona Preview
A stunning backdrop in the run-up to Christmas In the run-up to Christmas, Barcelona becomes a magical city that will set the backdrop for the international fleet of WASZPs on the water. The event includes spectacular racing from Barcelona International Sailing Center across a range of formats.
Posted today at 10:17 am
18ft Skiff SIXT Spring Championship Race 2
Also the first race of the Club Championship on Sydney Harbour for the Alf Beashel Memorial Trophy After last Sunday's opening race of the season had to be abandoned when 30-knot Westerly winds swept across the course, racing finally got underway when the Australian 18 Footers League sailed for the Alf Beashel Memorial Trophy, on Sydney Harbour today.
Posted today at 7:55 am
Globe40 2025/26 Stage 2 Update
Belgium Ocean Racing - Curium and Credit Mutuel 1 mile apart in the forties The incredible duel between the Belgian and French contenders continues in the forties after 4,890 miles of racing! Late Friday, as they passed Gough Island, Benoit Hantzperg and Renaud Dehareng seemed to have gained a small cushion of miles (28.8)
Posted today at 6:19 am
IFCA Fin & Foil Slalom Europeans day 4
Another picture-perfect day on Lake Garda Another picture-perfect day at the IFCA European Championships Slalom Fin & Foil, organized by Circolo Surf Torbole in collaboration with IFCA (International Funboard Class Association) and under the authority of the Italian Sailing Federation (FIV).
Posted on 18 Oct
Rolex Middle Sea Race: Up and running
The fleet departed from Grand Harbour at 11am on Saturday This morning at 11.00, the 46th Rolex Middle Sea Race got under way from Grand Harbour. The gathered fleet was gently propelled out of the magnificent amphitheatre, assisted by an easterly breeze that built as yachts closed on the exit to the open sea.
Posted on 18 Oct
iQFOiL Youth & Junior Europeans 2025 preview
306 of Europe's most talented young sailors gather in North Sardinia The stunning waters of North Sardinia are about to welcome the 2025 European Youth & Junior Championships, hosted by Club Nautico Arzachena.
Posted on 18 Oct