David Adams

Winner - Class 2, BOC Challenge solo round-the-world yacht race

Dave Adams was the 1994-95 winner of Class 2 of the BOC Challenge Solo round the world yacht race and '95-96 Yachting Australia's Yachtsman of the Year. Following the 27,000-mile Challenge in which he slashed an astonishing 10 days off the previous record, David was described by former Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating as a man of 'rare courage and stamina'. 

When you consider that during his 131 days at sea, David slept no longer than 30 minutes at a time, you can understand Paul Keating's reference to 'stamina'. To set a goal and achieve it always commands respect.  

David's win in the BOC Challenge 1994-95 aboard his 50' yacht True Blue was the culmination of thirteen years of striving to achieve that goal-including competing in the 1990-91 event in a borrowed yacht and finishing sixth..... To set a goal, fail, then go back and try again is even more commendable.  

David qualified as a captain in the merchant navy before becoming a professional yachtsman.  Since then he has logged more than 200,000 miles competing in some of the world's great ocean races, both single-handed and with a crew. 

David is one of Australia's best-known yachtsmen. He has competed in 12 Sydney-Hobart races, including line honours in 1997 as tactician aboard the maxi Brindabella, and second across the line in the tragic 1998 event. 

In 1998 he rounded the notorious Cape Horn for the third time, while competing in the 14,000-mile Gold Race from New York to San Francisco with a French crew skippered by Isabelle Autissier.  In 2000-2001 David was based in Paris as co-Race Director of The Race, a new non-stop round the world race in giant catamarans. 

He has run the NSW Institute of Sport Sailing Program and helped to identify and coach future Olympic sailors.

In between yacht races, David works as a motivational speaker at corporate conferences and functions.  With his down to earth nature and amazing stories of courage and accomplishment, he inspires audiences of all ages and in all walks of life. His book, Chasing Liquid Mountains, was published by Macmillan in 1997.