13 Facts About Jimmy Spithill

James Spithill was born on 28 June 1979 and is an Australian yachtsman.

In 2010, as skipper and helmsman for BMW Oracle Racing, Jimmy Spithill won the America's Cup.

In 2017, Jimmy Spithill skippered LDV Comanche to win Line Honours in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.

In 2024 Jimmy Spithill was inducted into the Australian Sailing Hall of Fame.

Jimmy Spithill confirmed his ability by winning numerous races in the following years, including twice the Nations Cup, and obtaining a second place in the 2003 Match Race World Championship - and first place in 2005.

Jimmy Spithill debuted in the America's Cup in 2000 with Young Australia, showing his precocious talent despite leading an antiquated boat.

Jimmy Spithill earned the nickname of "James Pitbull" among Italian fans because of his aggressive tactics during the pre-start phase of the races.

Jimmy Spithill is the protagonist of what is arguably remembered as the greatest pre-start in the history of the America's Cup, forcing two penalties to BMW Oracle skipper Chris Dickson in race five of the Louis Vuitton Cup 2007, causing Dickson's resignation a few days later.

In 2010, as skipper and helmsman for BMW Oracle Racing, Jimmy Spithill was at the time the youngest ever winner of the America's Cup until 2021 when Peter Burling at 30 years 2 months became the youngest skipper to win the America's Cup.

Jimmy Spithill was the helmsman and skipper for the challenging team BMW Oracle Racing 90 in the 2010 America's Cup.

In March 2018, it was announced that Jimmy Spithill would join the Challenger of Record entry, Luna Rossa Challenge, for the 36th Americas Cup series.

On 6 October 2012, while at the helm of the Oracle USA AC45 yacht, Jimmy Spithill managed to pitch-pole it.

At the helm of the Oracle USA AC72 yacht during a practice run on 16 October 2012, Jimmy Spithill pitch-poled it again.