Profile
Austin Sperry was born in Oakland, CA and began sailing at a young age on San Francisco Bay. Austin started out in El Toros and 5.5 metres, but before long was sailing with his father in Star boats. It was then that Austin's passion and talent for sailing began to emerge.
Competing in large-scale events such as the Barcardi Cup when he was just 14 years old, Austin was inspired by world-class sailors such as Paul Cayard and Magnus Liljedahl, and soon set his sights on the Olympics.
An avid all-round athlete, Austin first attended Avon Old Farms all-boys school in Connecticut and went on to study at Whittier College in Los Angeles where he played lacrosse. From Los Angeles, Austin returned to San Francisco to focus on his sailing, while working as an institutional equities trader at Banc of America Securities.
Since then, Austin has sailed with and against the greatest names in sailing, yet his most treasured prize was winning the Star Masters with his father in 2002. Austin credits his success thus far to very hard work and truly believes that the harder you work, the more it pays off.
Austin sailed with three accomplished skippers in his campaign leading up to the 2004 Olympic Team Trials: He started crewing for George Szabo, moved on to sail with John Kostecki, and sailed the final year leading up to the trials with Andy MacDonald. Austin And Andy did not qualify for the Olympics that year, but Paul Cayard, the trials winner, personally selected Austin to sail the sparring partner boat with Andy Lovell. His training would teach Austin incomparable lessons about Olympic sailing and prepare him for his future in the Star.
In 2005, Austin began sailing with John Dane. The pair competed in an event in the Western Hemisphere championship in the Bahamas, 'just for fun' and went on to finish second to Paul Cayard who had just returned from the Olympics. From there, the unbeatable duo set their sights on the Barcardi Cup (2006), which they won, competing in a fleet of 92 boats. Before long they were campaigning for the 2008 Olympics.
In October 2007, Austin and skipper JD found themselves in a tight last race. One point behind Austin's former skipper, George Szabo, and 4 points ahead of former Laser Olympian Mark Mendelblatt, Austin and JD had to corral their composure for this pressure-filled race. The team won the race, and subsequently won the Olympic Trials in Los Angeles. All efforts are now focused on the gold medal at the 2008 Olympic Games.
Austin's training program for the Beijing Olympics is intense and his days start early to fit in his comprehensive physical fitness regimen. Personal trainer Chris Herrera has Austin focusing on strength training and core exercises, with a bit of cardio for good measure.
Weighing in at 227 lbs, it's no surprise that Austin has the full time support of US Sailing's Nutritionist, Lisa Dorfman to ensure that his diet is in line with the rest of his training program. (Clearly the team believes that crew weight is key to fast downwind sailing).
On the water, Austin is coached by Hans Wallen (Star Silver, Sweden '96), Steve Erickson (Star Gold, USA '84), and Rodney Hagebols (AUS). When possible, Austin also participates in local regattas with his Finn.
When he is not sailing, Austin runs his own mobile home development business and consults for International Yacht Collection (IYC).
Austin hails from St. Francis YC and Pass Christian YC, and lives in Gulfport (MS) with his wife Sally.