Grant Dalton

Grant Dalton, born July 1, 1957, is a New Zealand sailor and businessman renowned for his achievements in both ocean racing and the America's Cup. While primarily known for his sailing career, Dalton also has a passion for motorsport and has participated in motorcycle racing events.

Dalton's sailing career is extensive, with seven circumnavigations of the world. He first competed in the 1981-82 Whitbread Round the World Race aboard Flyer II, which won the race. He later skippered his own boats in subsequent Whitbread races. His most memorable circumnavigation was in 2000-2001, when he skippered the maxi-catamaran Club Med to a record-breaking 62-day sprint around the world in The Race. In 2003, Dalton transitioned to the America's Cup, taking over Team New Zealand after their loss that year. He revitalized the team, leading them to victory in 2017 and successfully defending the cup in 2021 and again in 2024. As of 2024, he is the CEO of Emirates Team New Zealand.

Beyond sailing, Dalton has indulged his passion for motorsports. In 2014, at the age of 57, he entered the Manx Grand Prix as a newcomer and the F1 Classic TT. Although lacking experience, he returned in 2015 and qualified for the F1 TT, earning a finisher's medal with an overall race average speed of 97.047 mph. His venture into motorcycle racing highlights his adventurous spirit and willingness to take on new challenges outside the realm of sailing.