Rod Davis (yachting)
Encyclopedia
Rod Davis, born 27 August 1955 in the United States
is a former competitive sailor who won Olympic medals for two different countries. At the 1984 Summer Olympics
in Los Angeles
, representing the United States
, he won the Gold medal in the Soling
class along with Robert Haines and Edward Trevelyan. After moving to New Zealand
he was chosen to represent that country at the next 3 Olympic Games
. Along with Don Cowie
he won a Silver medal at the 1992 Summer Olympics
in Barcelona
, Spain
in the Star class
.
Davis and Cowie finished fifth at the 1996 Summer Olympics
in Atlanta and were also fifth in the Soling
class at Sydney
along with 3rd crewman Alan Smith.
In ocean racing, Davis began his involvement with the America's Cup
in 1988 when he was appointed coach of the New Zealand team. It was at this time that he moved to New Zealand. He has subsequently been involved in several America's Cup campaigns for various syndicates. In 2005 he was appointed Yachting New Zealand's Olympic Director.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
is a former competitive sailor who won Olympic medals for two different countries. At the 1984 Summer Olympics
1984 Summer Olympics
The 1984 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIII Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event held in Los Angeles, California, United States in 1984...
in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, representing the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, he won the Gold medal in the Soling
Soling
A Soling is a class of open keelboat designed by Jan Linge of Norway in 1965. In 1968, it was chosen from among many other boats to be the men's triple-handed boat for the 1972 Olympics...
class along with Robert Haines and Edward Trevelyan. After moving to New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
he was chosen to represent that country at the next 3 Olympic Games
Olympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
. Along with Don Cowie
Don Cowie (yachting)
Don Cowie, born 5 January 1962 in Palmerston North, New Zealand, is a former competitive sailor who won a Silver medal at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain...
he won a Silver medal at the 1992 Summer Olympics
1992 Summer Olympics
The 1992 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXV Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event celebrated in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, in 1992. The International Olympic Committee voted in 1986 to separate the Summer and Winter Games, which had been held in the same...
in Barcelona
Barcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain after Madrid, and the capital of Catalonia, with a population of 1,621,537 within its administrative limits on a land area of...
, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
in the Star class
Star (sailboat)
The International Star is a 6.9 m one-design racing keelboat for two people.The boat must weigh at least 671 kg with a maximum total sail area of 26.5 m . It is sloop-rigged, with a mainsail larger in proportional size than any other boat of its length...
.
Davis and Cowie finished fifth at the 1996 Summer Olympics
1996 Summer Olympics
The 1996 Summer Olympics of Atlanta, officially known as the Games of the XXVI Olympiad and unofficially known as the Centennial Olympics, was an international multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1996 in Atlanta, Georgia, United States....
in Atlanta and were also fifth in the Soling
Soling
A Soling is a class of open keelboat designed by Jan Linge of Norway in 1965. In 1968, it was chosen from among many other boats to be the men's triple-handed boat for the 1972 Olympics...
class at Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
along with 3rd crewman Alan Smith.
In ocean racing, Davis began his involvement with the America's Cup
America's Cup
The America’s Cup is a trophy awarded to the winner of the America's Cup match races between two yachts. One yacht, known as the defender, represents the yacht club that currently holds the America's Cup and the second yacht, known as the challenger, represents the yacht club that is challenging...
in 1988 when he was appointed coach of the New Zealand team. It was at this time that he moved to New Zealand. He has subsequently been involved in several America's Cup campaigns for various syndicates. In 2005 he was appointed Yachting New Zealand's Olympic Director.