Ed Baird
- Category : 1958-births
- Type : GP
- Profile : 2/4 - Hermit / Opportunist
- Definition : Split - Small (2,46)
- Incarnation Cross : RAX Contagion 2
Biography
American sailor who was a coach of the 1995 America's Cup-winning Team New Zealand and a helmsman for the 2007 America's Cup-winning Alinghi syndicate.
Growing up in Florida, Baird raced in the Optimist class at junior level, before moving onto other dinghies. He won the World Laser Championships in 1980 and the World J/24 Championships in 1983.
While best known as a champion match racer and fleet racing helmsman, Baird has also coached world and Olympic champions such as Anna Tunnicliffe, Sally Barkow and Kevin Mahaney. He was a premier instructor for North-U’s Tactical and speed clinics in the 90’s, has written an instructional book (Laser Racing) and over a hundred tactical how-to articles. Baird has worked with ESPN, Outdoor Life Network, Versus and Television New Zealand as an expert commentator for shows about sailboat racing.