As we countdown to the 35th America’s Cup The Royal Gazette will bring you a series of fun facts about the boats, the sailors, the crew, and the history of this illustrious competition. There are now six days until the month-long sporting spectacle gets under way.

Iain Murray, the regatta director for the 35th America’s Cup, had great success in Sydney’s iconic 18-foot skiff class, in which he designed, built and sailed Color 7 to win a record six consecutive championships from 1977 to 1982.

Murray began sailing on Middle Harbor, Sydney, as a nine-year-old in the Flying Ant class.

The success in the 18-foot skiffs led Syd Fischer, Australia’s most regular and least successful challenger for the America’s Cup to select him as helmsman of his 1983 challenger Advance.

Murray joined with Kevin Parry’s Kookaburra syndicate for Australia’s defence of the Cup in 1987. Kookaburra earned the right to defend the Cup after a cantankerous defence series, but was vanquished in the 26th Cup Match by Dennis Conner’s Stars & Stripes.

Murray has enjoyed a tremendous career as an offshore sailor, winning many of the world’s classic events including three overall victories and eight line honour wins in the Sydney-Hobart race. He also was on the winning Australian team at the last Champagne Mumm Admiral’s Cup, and took down Paul Cayard to win the 1988 match racing world championship.

As a one-design sailor, Murray ranks his Etchells World Championship in 1984 as one of his most satisfying victories. He also placed third at the 2005 Etchells Worlds.

In 2008 Murray competed in the Olympic Regatta when he represented Australia in the Star Class.

In recognition for his achievements and meritorious service to sport and community, Murray was presented with the Order of Australia, AM, in 1992.

He was appointed regatta director for the 34th America’s Cup in San Francisco and appointed to the position again for the 35th America’s Cup by the competitors.