Jud Smith likes to name his racing boats AFRICA, an anacronym for “Another Freaking Race Boat I Can’t Afford.”  You can appreciate Jud’s humor; but in truth, Jud is one of the most successful one design sailors of this era.  His list of achievements is long.  Among his significant victories as both a skipper and a crew you will find an Etchells World Championship (2006), J70 World Championship (2018) at the age of 61, six consecutive North American Etchells Championships, Sonar World Championship, International One Design World championships, (1979, 1981) and the Rhodes 19 National Championship (2006).  He has been honored as Rolex Yachtsman of the Year two times (2006, 2018). Adding to the list, Smith trimmed the mainsail aboard Stars & Stripes during Dennis Conner’s America’s Cup campaign in 1995.  When speaking about the America’s Cup, he notes, “Being on an America’s Cup crew is like being in the Marines or a professional football team.”

Professionally, Smith has been a long-time sailmaker with Doyle Sails based in Salem, Massachusetts.  At regattas, he seems to always be available to help sailors with advice on rig tuning, sail trim and tactics. To this day, Smith is a highly sought after crew, skipper and coach.  Any time you see his name on an entry list you can be sure his boat will be at – or near – the top of the leaderboard.

Smith spent his childhood sailing in Marblehead, Massachusetts, surrounded by many great sailors.  His father, Dave, crewed for George O’Day in the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome. The American crew, along with Hall of Fame inductee Jim “Sham” Hunt won a gold medal that year in the 5.5 Meter class.  No doubt that he was inspired by his father, who had a calm demeanor when racing.  Smith recalls of his father, “He really had a passion for the sport, and he seemed to enjoy winter frostbiting as much as anything else.  I learned by example. He was a real seat-of-the-pants sailor, like most sailors of his generation.”  Smith is quick to mention other sailors who were mentors, including Robbie Doyle, Dave Curtis, Jon Wales, Peter Warren, Buddy Duncan and Don McNamara.  He says, “I was fortunate. I didn’t realize what I had but learned a lot racing against them.  I got a pretty good cross section of sailing.”

Smith has a meticulous routine when preparing for big regattas. When asked about his methods, he says, “You’ve got to keep an open mind and try things and be willing to make errors.  I think failure is the mother of invention.  I am not afraid to take a chance and find out what works.”   Smith has an easygoing style around the waterfront; a good listener and practices what he preaches.  Even though he has spent most of his career as a sailmaker and professional sailor, he still found time to race his own boats with his family and friends. Smith and his wife Cindy often sail with their daughters, Lindsey and Darby.  He says, “There is a fine line between being helpful and acting like a Little League parent. I tried to get involved when they asked me for help.”

~ Gary Jobson