From -Cam Lewis
Memories lost and Memories found – this shoe boxes of slides and old photos up in my attic collect dust – yet once a year or so – when going to find something – items pop out – a bin with an old Whitbread piece of clothing from my 1st encounters onboard and together with Jim, Knut, Jacques, Marcel and the gang on Kvaerner for the last bunch of legs in a distant Whitbread – to my go at boat ownership with the QUEST 30- MAXOUT – with an idea for some solo and double-handed races – which proved to be quite a lot of fun and good times
Some how Jim and Jules showed up @ Newport and the east coast when the boat was fresh with heaps of tweaking needed with the water ballast and more – we meshed right together – I was fresh from a lap @ the planet on Commodore Explorer – newly married and a dad of Max ( now 32 ) — boat was named after Max – because it was the best way to have fun with a young toddler and unlike Jim – he would crawl into a dry corner below or in the cockpit and go out – to sleep ….
Going forward – understanding the mies and moon rises that separated all of us in the past decades – memories of some serious issues with a jibe gone wrong and head injuries on MaxOut –
A few too many adult beverages a time or too – forgetting who fell into the bushes first on the way home from the wrap party in Southampton – all the positive and fun we all have had with Jim and Jules – maybe distant memories will always bring us smiles – hopes and happiness –
The struggles that are NOW and fresh and tough with Jim’s health can only add to his incredible strengths and contributions made to family and friends, boats an their myriad bits and parts…
I am in Paris, Benodet, Vannes, La Trinite, Lorient and other fine towns on the coast of France this week – June 16-23 – places I know Jim has sailed to and from and around.
Sending love, hugs and warm wishes to all – Cheers, Cam …..sail fast – go big ….
and as a quote from Steve Pentigill goes – something like this
“ IF YOU ARE NOT LIVING CLOSE TO THE EDGE – YOU ARE TAKING UP TOO MUCH ROOM “……no pun intended !
Cameron Lewis
Florida USA
Cam is a great friend and highly skilled professional yachtsman. Allways positive in outlook with a cheeky grin and generous with his time helping others.
Amazing skillsat judging sailing angles and distances under pressure. …Layline Lewis……
” Life’s the drug master the addiction” could be his motto. A naturally gifted helmsman and fun nature loving human being.
Cam Lewis is a legendary American yachtsman, best known for his record-breaking multihull sailing, America’s Cup victories, and pioneer status in global ocean racing. He is a world-renowned pioneer in high-speed trimaran and catamaran sailing. He has also competed in the whitbread round the world race.
America’s Cup Champion: Played a crucial role as crew aboard Dennis Conner’s victorious wing-sailed Stars & Stripes catamaran during the 1988 America’s Cup.
Jules Verne Trophy Pioneer: In 1993, he co-skippered the 86-foot catamaran Commodore Explorer on a record-breaking, non-stop circumnavigation of the globe. This monumental feat earned him the prestigious title of Rolex Yachtsman of the Year.
The Race (2001): Spearheaded and skippered the 110-foot maxi-catamaran Team Adventure in “The Race,” an extreme round-the-world multihull sailing competition. Despite facing significant equipment damage in the Southern Ocean, the team fought back to finish in third place.
SpeedDream: Later joined the high-tech SpeedDream offshore monohull project as skipper, aiming to redefine limits of sailing speed.
Early & Championship Racing
Before dominating offshore multihull records, Lewis was an absolute force on the traditional racecourse. He clinched multiple world titles, including two Finn Gold Cup victories and top finishes in the 505 World
Legacy and Education
Beyond professional racing, Lewis founded the Team Adventure Education Foundation, using his global voyages to bring the excitement of sailing, geography, and ocean science to classrooms and children around the world.
