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39 Year old Morgan Larson of Santa Cruz is sitting high on the sailing plateau these days, having just won two major events, the RC 44 Worlds with Torbjorn Tornqvist’s Artemis as Tactician and Match Racing helmsman. Shortly thereafter Morgan hopped across the Atlantic and joined forces with Steve Howe aboard his Melges 32 where they completely dominated the 18 boat Gold Fleet in Fort Lauderdale at the Gold Cup
Torbjorn and Morgan celebrate the RC 44 World Championship Victory
Morgan began sailing in Santa Cruz at age 2 on Lasers and with his parents on SC27's, Moore 24's, and the magic Merlin....” but my main boat was a little one man bathtub called a Jester Dinghy designed by Ron Moore and the late George Olsen” Morgan Recalls…
We caught up with Morgan taking a short breather at his home in Santa Cruz California, where he visits when he can to surf, sail recreationally and Mt Bike and hang with the crew.
PD: Your dad Bobbo (do you call him that or just friends?) and Dave Wahle were in instrumental in your sailing and surfing influences,who else were mentors/ main competition back in the day?
ML: “For sure it was my dad Bob (Bobbo) and Dave Wahle who spent the most time with my sailing. There were other influences such as: Jack Halterman, Baylis brothers, Randy Parker JR., Bruce Vessey, Bruce Edwards and Phil Vandenberg. All people who I looked up too and spent time pushing me along."
Morgans Moore 24' "Bruzer" at home and loving the surf
PD:Your 1st major regatta victory?
ML: Probably the SC27 Nationals with my Dad and the Express 27 Nationals with John Kostecki (1985 or so).
PD: 1st National title?
ML:The 1988 US Junior Nationals was my first big win.
PD: Aside from Sailing, surfing, kiteboarding and SUPing what keeps you out of trouble?
ML: My wife Christa and our 150 pound Newfoundland named "Tugboat". Living between Santa Cruz, Ca and Hood River, OR keeps us pretty busy with friends as we have two great communities and some really good friends.
Surfing the J-24 in the 95' Nations Cup
PD: You represented the US during the Nations Cup back in 1995 and made it to the finals but lost to the South African Team. What was your take away from that event as far the competition and connections made during the regatta?
ML: That event Is much like all the others we compete in where we have many friends from around the world and meet new ones too! The StFYC always does an amzing job with regattas like that and make special for everyone participating. We are lucky in our sport that we meet so many great people and keep those friendships for life. As we get older and build families, we have a chance to race against some of our older competitors children, which is pretty cool. Someday I hope to have kids which will be able to compete in the sport as well!
Morgan tips his hat to the South African crew after narrowly losing the finals in the 1995 Nations Cup
PD: You sailed with Doug Taylor on a series of boats named Zamboni while attending school in Hawaii, your 1st paid gig, what was your take away from that and how did it direct you in sailing as a profession?
ML: I have Fuzz Foster and Andy Johnson to thank for getting me that 1st sailing job! Doug Taylor took the risk of hiring someone with little professional experience and we won some big races. Sailing with the Hawaiian Gang ( tye Pryne, Alan “ Buddah” Nakamichi) Great people that are still racing in the Grand Prix Circuit.
PD: You moved to Hood River in the late 90’s? what was the impetus for that?
ML: My 1st trip to the Columbia River Gorge was to train in the 470’s back in 1989/1990. I then came back to train with Courtney Becker-Dey and Carrisa Harris Adamson on Europe Dinghies a few years later. I met some really good friends there like AC & Volvo winners Josh Belsky and Steve Erickson. Since then, I did an annual summer pilgrimage to sail, windsurf and later kite in Hood River. The town has a magical feel to it in the summer and I knew I would someday live there, then in 2003 I met my now wife Christa in Hood River. Pretty much sealed the deal.
PD: How much time do you get to spend there now?
ML: We are there from May to October. As much as we love it there, we always try to make it back to Santa Cruz in the Fall as there isn’t a place I would rather be in than Santa Cruz in October. The tourists are gone, the kids are back in school, the weather is perfect and the surf is often cranking!
A partial and incomplete view of some of Morgans resume:
• US Junior National Champion
• Collegiate National Champion
• 3 time College All-American
• 15 US National Titles
• 5 World Championship Titles
• US Match Racing Champion
• US Single-handed Champion
• Admirals Cup Winner, US Team
• Bermuda Race Overall Winner
• Bronze Medal Winner, Pan American Games
• 3 time Bronze Medal Winner, 49er World Championships
• 2nd place at the 2000 US Olympic Trials
• 49er North American Champion
• 505 North American Champion
• XXX Louis Viutton Cup, AmericaOne
• XXXI Louis Viutton Cup, One World Challenge
• 2 time Pacific Cup Winner (California to Hawaii)
• 2 time Transpacific Yacht Race first to finish
• Melges 24 European Champion
• Farr 40 European Champion
PD: You worked with Paul Cayard on the America 1 campaign and on the One World with Ben Ainslie, which one can be more intense?
ML: “A1 was a great experience working with Paul Cayard, John Kostecki, Terry Hutchinson Kevin Hall and Josh Besky among others, Paul and JK bring a high level of intensity to their sailing! “
“1 World was also a great experience but less competitive. There was almost too many talented people direction, passion and drive than the A1 team, that said, working with Ben Ainslie, the McKee Brothers, Gilmour and Spithill was very memorable !”
At the America One Christening in San Pedro
PD: In 2007 you joined Victory Challenge as tactician which finished mid pack in the Louis Vuitton Cup, the event must have opened additional doors for you to expand, how did the position come to be, what was your take on that campaign and what direct or indirect projects evolved from your duties there?
ML: Victory was a solid campaign. Sometimes misdirected but for the relatively small budget, short time frame and less internationally know sailors, the result was pretty good. I joined late as the 2nd tactician. Either I didn’t prove to better than Stefan Rahm or the team decided to stick mainly with the Swedish sailors. (Who really knows?) But it allowed me to move into a role where I worked with Neal McDonald (One of the best all around sailors in the world) That experience help me land a job with BMW/Oracle weather team for the Big Cat Cup
PD: Do you have any ambitions for further Cup challenges at this time?
ML: Having grown up racing on SF Bay, I very much want to be part of a team,
Especially now that the boats are higher performing. Saying that, I’ve either missed the boat for now, but I know something will come up! With the Cup and the money spent, when someone isn’t performing or someone gets hurt, the phone call may come.
PD: You sailed with Torbjorn Tornqvist in the RC 44's, no plans for Artemis in the cats?
ML: I assumed with the success that Terry Hutchinson and I had on the Quantum TP 52, that it might lead to something more. I did do one of the early LV events on the old AD boats, but it was pretty evident that the team was heading in another direction and I didn’t quite fit the mold..That’s when I joined Mascalone where we had great success and I was able to really be myself and get on with the job. I built a lifelong relationship with Vincent Onorato which was headed in the right direction for this Cup cycle, but iit turned out to be a tough time financially for him and his family and he had to call it quits. He will be back some day I am sure! When Terry Hutchinson and Paul Cayard had to give up the RC44 campaign, they asked me to sail with Torbjorn and it’s been a really great time! They have a solid crew of people who work well together, and Torbjorn is very driven and very competitive. Hopefull thing will evolve , but for now I am committed to starting the RC 44 season with him on Artemis.
PD: Have not seen your name associated with skiffs, 505 or 49ers in some time, are the worlds going on in Perth and the upcoming Olympics piquing your interest at this time? Any ambitions for another go with the 49ers? 505's? Maybe 18's?
ML: Pete Spaulding and I were close to making a run with the 49er. It appears the the fleet is pretty wide open. That said, the young guys are getting quite good in the boat, The US has a way to go from where we were 10 years ago with the McKees & Kevin Hall. It’s hard to watch the racing going on in Perthand not be a part of it. The US system now requires good results in big events where before you just needed to win one regatta. I might have been in 2 or 3 Olympics in the new format, but now I can’t commit the time that it takes…An Olympic Campaign demand dedication with little distraction. My Hat is off to anyone in pursuit of that dream! You might see me on the A-Cat again soon which has become a new passion driven by the new A-Cup!
Hanging with the guys aboard Warpath
© Melges 32 Class/Joy
PD: The Volvo Ocean Race has been mentioned in the past as one of the things you would like to do, are you still keen on the idea?
ML: I watch the guys out there every day from the safety of my couch! I’d really like to be involved with a team in the future. I think we have the talent ( Marine Industry, boat builders, sailors etc) in the Bay Area and I would love to lead a team in the event! My hope is that they can keep the costs at a level where the boats are 10-15 teams. Personally, I like competition and the current 6 boats ( even though they are super prepared and talented teams) isn’t enough. You see that in sailing right now and that’s why I am taking a step back from some of the bigger events. ( The Ac has 5 teams, the Volvo 6 teams, Med Cup 8 teams) Whereas the RC 44 has nearly 20 teams and the Melges 32 even more. They are owner driver events but the talent is there and the competition is great!
Morgan calling the shots at the recent Melges 32 Gold Cup.
Image courtesy Melges 32 Class/Joy
PD: Plans for the immediate future?
ML:Key West with the Melges 32 Warpath. Besides that my parents are up from NZ and we are spending Christmas here in Santa Cruz. Some riding and surfing is all that is on the list. And Sailing the A-Cat.Wwe sailed a little last year (Paul Allen, Andy Kolb and I) I'm waiting for a new mast and hopefully the 3 of us will be doing tons of sailing this winter/spring
PD: For young, aspiring sailors out there, attempting to make a name for themselves and possibly make a living in the ultra competitive world, what simple rules would you suggest?
ML:Don’t let anything get in your way! Size and muscle are key if you are not one of the best tacticians or trimmers. Focus on the physical side as that is what teams are looking for. Show up and be willing to do anything for the program, even if it means sanding the bottom, perform boat maintenance or just be an alternate for practice races. Every good Melges 32 team trains for 3 days prior to major events and are usually short crew because the Cat 1 guys tend to show up as late as possible. If you walk the dock, odds are good to get a spot during training days.If you do get onboard, be a sponge and soak it all up! Show your talent by asking good questions and avoid being over confident or arrogant. Be quiet work hard. ( As my good friend Brad Fitzgerald says” Less talko and more worko”) The top sailor know they need young talent, so if you want a life of travel and sailing, BE THERE when your name is called!
Thanks Morgan, and congratulations!!!
Torbjorn and Morgan celebrate the RC 44 World Championship Victory
Morgan began sailing in Santa Cruz at age 2 on Lasers and with his parents on SC27's, Moore 24's, and the magic Merlin....” but my main boat was a little one man bathtub called a Jester Dinghy designed by Ron Moore and the late George Olsen” Morgan Recalls…
We caught up with Morgan taking a short breather at his home in Santa Cruz California, where he visits when he can to surf, sail recreationally and Mt Bike and hang with the crew.
PD: Your dad Bobbo (do you call him that or just friends?) and Dave Wahle were in instrumental in your sailing and surfing influences,who else were mentors/ main competition back in the day?
ML: “For sure it was my dad Bob (Bobbo) and Dave Wahle who spent the most time with my sailing. There were other influences such as: Jack Halterman, Baylis brothers, Randy Parker JR., Bruce Vessey, Bruce Edwards and Phil Vandenberg. All people who I looked up too and spent time pushing me along."
Morgans Moore 24' "Bruzer" at home and loving the surf
PD:Your 1st major regatta victory?
ML: Probably the SC27 Nationals with my Dad and the Express 27 Nationals with John Kostecki (1985 or so).
PD: 1st National title?
ML:The 1988 US Junior Nationals was my first big win.
PD: Aside from Sailing, surfing, kiteboarding and SUPing what keeps you out of trouble?
ML: My wife Christa and our 150 pound Newfoundland named "Tugboat". Living between Santa Cruz, Ca and Hood River, OR keeps us pretty busy with friends as we have two great communities and some really good friends.
Surfing the J-24 in the 95' Nations Cup
PD: You represented the US during the Nations Cup back in 1995 and made it to the finals but lost to the South African Team. What was your take away from that event as far the competition and connections made during the regatta?
ML: That event Is much like all the others we compete in where we have many friends from around the world and meet new ones too! The StFYC always does an amzing job with regattas like that and make special for everyone participating. We are lucky in our sport that we meet so many great people and keep those friendships for life. As we get older and build families, we have a chance to race against some of our older competitors children, which is pretty cool. Someday I hope to have kids which will be able to compete in the sport as well!
Morgan tips his hat to the South African crew after narrowly losing the finals in the 1995 Nations Cup
PD: You sailed with Doug Taylor on a series of boats named Zamboni while attending school in Hawaii, your 1st paid gig, what was your take away from that and how did it direct you in sailing as a profession?
ML: I have Fuzz Foster and Andy Johnson to thank for getting me that 1st sailing job! Doug Taylor took the risk of hiring someone with little professional experience and we won some big races. Sailing with the Hawaiian Gang ( tye Pryne, Alan “ Buddah” Nakamichi) Great people that are still racing in the Grand Prix Circuit.
PD: You moved to Hood River in the late 90’s? what was the impetus for that?
ML: My 1st trip to the Columbia River Gorge was to train in the 470’s back in 1989/1990. I then came back to train with Courtney Becker-Dey and Carrisa Harris Adamson on Europe Dinghies a few years later. I met some really good friends there like AC & Volvo winners Josh Belsky and Steve Erickson. Since then, I did an annual summer pilgrimage to sail, windsurf and later kite in Hood River. The town has a magical feel to it in the summer and I knew I would someday live there, then in 2003 I met my now wife Christa in Hood River. Pretty much sealed the deal.
PD: How much time do you get to spend there now?
ML: We are there from May to October. As much as we love it there, we always try to make it back to Santa Cruz in the Fall as there isn’t a place I would rather be in than Santa Cruz in October. The tourists are gone, the kids are back in school, the weather is perfect and the surf is often cranking!
A partial and incomplete view of some of Morgans resume:
• US Junior National Champion
• Collegiate National Champion
• 3 time College All-American
• 15 US National Titles
• 5 World Championship Titles
• US Match Racing Champion
• US Single-handed Champion
• Admirals Cup Winner, US Team
• Bermuda Race Overall Winner
• Bronze Medal Winner, Pan American Games
• 3 time Bronze Medal Winner, 49er World Championships
• 2nd place at the 2000 US Olympic Trials
• 49er North American Champion
• 505 North American Champion
• XXX Louis Viutton Cup, AmericaOne
• XXXI Louis Viutton Cup, One World Challenge
• 2 time Pacific Cup Winner (California to Hawaii)
• 2 time Transpacific Yacht Race first to finish
• Melges 24 European Champion
• Farr 40 European Champion
PD: You worked with Paul Cayard on the America 1 campaign and on the One World with Ben Ainslie, which one can be more intense?
ML: “A1 was a great experience working with Paul Cayard, John Kostecki, Terry Hutchinson Kevin Hall and Josh Besky among others, Paul and JK bring a high level of intensity to their sailing! “
“1 World was also a great experience but less competitive. There was almost too many talented people direction, passion and drive than the A1 team, that said, working with Ben Ainslie, the McKee Brothers, Gilmour and Spithill was very memorable !”
At the America One Christening in San Pedro
PD: In 2007 you joined Victory Challenge as tactician which finished mid pack in the Louis Vuitton Cup, the event must have opened additional doors for you to expand, how did the position come to be, what was your take on that campaign and what direct or indirect projects evolved from your duties there?
ML: Victory was a solid campaign. Sometimes misdirected but for the relatively small budget, short time frame and less internationally know sailors, the result was pretty good. I joined late as the 2nd tactician. Either I didn’t prove to better than Stefan Rahm or the team decided to stick mainly with the Swedish sailors. (Who really knows?) But it allowed me to move into a role where I worked with Neal McDonald (One of the best all around sailors in the world) That experience help me land a job with BMW/Oracle weather team for the Big Cat Cup
PD: Do you have any ambitions for further Cup challenges at this time?
ML: Having grown up racing on SF Bay, I very much want to be part of a team,
Especially now that the boats are higher performing. Saying that, I’ve either missed the boat for now, but I know something will come up! With the Cup and the money spent, when someone isn’t performing or someone gets hurt, the phone call may come.
PD: You sailed with Torbjorn Tornqvist in the RC 44's, no plans for Artemis in the cats?
ML: I assumed with the success that Terry Hutchinson and I had on the Quantum TP 52, that it might lead to something more. I did do one of the early LV events on the old AD boats, but it was pretty evident that the team was heading in another direction and I didn’t quite fit the mold..That’s when I joined Mascalone where we had great success and I was able to really be myself and get on with the job. I built a lifelong relationship with Vincent Onorato which was headed in the right direction for this Cup cycle, but iit turned out to be a tough time financially for him and his family and he had to call it quits. He will be back some day I am sure! When Terry Hutchinson and Paul Cayard had to give up the RC44 campaign, they asked me to sail with Torbjorn and it’s been a really great time! They have a solid crew of people who work well together, and Torbjorn is very driven and very competitive. Hopefull thing will evolve , but for now I am committed to starting the RC 44 season with him on Artemis.
PD: Have not seen your name associated with skiffs, 505 or 49ers in some time, are the worlds going on in Perth and the upcoming Olympics piquing your interest at this time? Any ambitions for another go with the 49ers? 505's? Maybe 18's?
ML: Pete Spaulding and I were close to making a run with the 49er. It appears the the fleet is pretty wide open. That said, the young guys are getting quite good in the boat, The US has a way to go from where we were 10 years ago with the McKees & Kevin Hall. It’s hard to watch the racing going on in Perthand not be a part of it. The US system now requires good results in big events where before you just needed to win one regatta. I might have been in 2 or 3 Olympics in the new format, but now I can’t commit the time that it takes…An Olympic Campaign demand dedication with little distraction. My Hat is off to anyone in pursuit of that dream! You might see me on the A-Cat again soon which has become a new passion driven by the new A-Cup!
Hanging with the guys aboard Warpath
© Melges 32 Class/Joy
PD: The Volvo Ocean Race has been mentioned in the past as one of the things you would like to do, are you still keen on the idea?
ML: I watch the guys out there every day from the safety of my couch! I’d really like to be involved with a team in the future. I think we have the talent ( Marine Industry, boat builders, sailors etc) in the Bay Area and I would love to lead a team in the event! My hope is that they can keep the costs at a level where the boats are 10-15 teams. Personally, I like competition and the current 6 boats ( even though they are super prepared and talented teams) isn’t enough. You see that in sailing right now and that’s why I am taking a step back from some of the bigger events. ( The Ac has 5 teams, the Volvo 6 teams, Med Cup 8 teams) Whereas the RC 44 has nearly 20 teams and the Melges 32 even more. They are owner driver events but the talent is there and the competition is great!
Morgan calling the shots at the recent Melges 32 Gold Cup.
Image courtesy Melges 32 Class/Joy
PD: Plans for the immediate future?
ML:Key West with the Melges 32 Warpath. Besides that my parents are up from NZ and we are spending Christmas here in Santa Cruz. Some riding and surfing is all that is on the list. And Sailing the A-Cat.Wwe sailed a little last year (Paul Allen, Andy Kolb and I) I'm waiting for a new mast and hopefully the 3 of us will be doing tons of sailing this winter/spring
PD: For young, aspiring sailors out there, attempting to make a name for themselves and possibly make a living in the ultra competitive world, what simple rules would you suggest?
ML:Don’t let anything get in your way! Size and muscle are key if you are not one of the best tacticians or trimmers. Focus on the physical side as that is what teams are looking for. Show up and be willing to do anything for the program, even if it means sanding the bottom, perform boat maintenance or just be an alternate for practice races. Every good Melges 32 team trains for 3 days prior to major events and are usually short crew because the Cat 1 guys tend to show up as late as possible. If you walk the dock, odds are good to get a spot during training days.If you do get onboard, be a sponge and soak it all up! Show your talent by asking good questions and avoid being over confident or arrogant. Be quiet work hard. ( As my good friend Brad Fitzgerald says” Less talko and more worko”) The top sailor know they need young talent, so if you want a life of travel and sailing, BE THERE when your name is called!
Thanks Morgan, and congratulations!!!
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