Tom Burnham

About Tom
Nickname: Tommy
Grantee: Youth Sailing Foundation
Hometown: Orange, CT
Resides: Middletown, RI
Everyday
Cool Trick: Standing on a Swiss ball
Free Time: Skiing, sailing, family
Bad Ass Moment: Winning the 2003 Match Racing Worlds
Hidden Talent: Cooking
Guilty Pleasure: Eating
The Fridge: eggs, milk, yogurt, hummus
Best Advice: Be happy with what you have and where you are
Hobby: Trying to surf, mostly I swim with a board!
Fun Fact: I talk in my sleep
Brands
Oakley
Patagonia
Gear
Fleece pullover top
Nano puff vest from Patagonia
Hoody
Oakley Batwolf glasses
Patagonia Wavefarer board shorts
4x
America’s Cup challenger campaigns
7x
World Championship titles
2nd
US trials leading up to the 2000 Olympics
We interact with the environment on a daily basis as sailors. Protecting that environment is a top priority. It is really special to be able to share an awareness of our surroundings with others.
Tom grew up sailing with his family on Long Island Sound and spent his summers at the Milford Yacht Club. He started racing competitively in Jr High School when he was 12 years old. His first taste of international competition was in 1989 at the International 420 World Championship in Yugoslavia. Through many twists and turns over the years, sailing became his profession. When not working, Tom likes to spend his time with his family, enjoying many outdoor activities with his wife and kids – including more sailing, of course!
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO BE AN 11th HOUR RACING AMBASSADOR?
Sailing and the ocean are not just my profession, but also my passion. Sharing this passion with others is very inspiring. 11th Hour Racing helps us promote good practices at a local and global level, within the international sailing community.
SUPPORTING THE MISSION
Sharing my love for the ocean and the environment is important to me. Supporting the mission of 11th Hour Racing helps me to accomplish the goal of using the sport that I love in a way to affect change in the world.
Header image credit: Nico Martinez | 52 SUPER SERIES
Career Highlights
- 4 America’s Cup challenger campaigns: Young America, twice with Luna Rossa, and head coach of Artemis Racing.
- US Sailing Team during the lead up to the 2000 Olympics in Sydney. 2nd place in the US trials.
- 7 World Championship titles – Swan 45, TP52, Match Racing, RC 44