Competitive J24 Boathandling Bios

Will Crump 29, Driver and Narrator

Sailing coach, championship competitor and sailmaker are among the successful careers that have earned Will Crump recognition within the competitive sailing ranks and the marine industry.

A native of Richmond, Virginia, Will grew up sailing on the Chesapeake Bay. He was a product of both the Fishing Bay Yacht Club junior program and the influences of offshore ocean racing routes such as the Newport-to-Bermuda and the Annapolis-to-Newport.

After a college career in division III lacrosse, Will joined the J World team in Annapolis as a coach only to quickly move into the head coaching position. During this period, he modified a 1983 J24, Satisfaction, in his spare time (and with the help and guidance of Layline's staff) to race competitively around the country. His successes on the course in the J24 class, among others, were the result of his dedication to crew training, team-building, boat preparation and practice.

In 1998, the Quantum One Design team recognized Will's accomplishments as valuable to sailmaking. There he worked with the testing and development of sail shapes and tuning guides for several one-design classes expanding on his specific knowledge of techniques and preparation in one design sailing.

Among the many competitive accomplishments in Will's diverse background of competitive sailing are: J80 North American Champion as a tactician, J22 East Coast Champion as a tactician, J22 Mid-Atlantic Champion as a driver, J24 Regional and District Champion as a driver, J29 North American Champion as a tactician and a 3rd place finish in the JY15 Midwinter Championships.

Currently Will is enrolled in an executive MBA program in International Business at the Copenhagen Business School. However his role in sailing has not diminished as his recent series of CD-ROM Videos, The Competitive Boathandling Series, currently sponsored by Harken Yacht Equipment, North Sails and Musto Sailing Gear offer a level of instructional service not previously offered in sailing. Will hopes to continue using his education in business and sailing experience to create enhancing tools that add value to the sailing community.

Dave Thomas 26, Trimmer and Mastman

David Thomas was given his first sailing lesson at age 3. Growing up in Houston, near the Galveston Bay area, afforded him the advantage to sail as often as he liked. Coming from a long line of sailors in his family, David's interest in the sport developed as quickly as his talent. Having taken some time to travel the world, he has now returned to Houston, where sailing is still a top priority.

David Thomas has been sailing for 23 years. His first triumph came as a Laser Sailor at age 15 when he was accepted to the Youth Champs Regatta. An honor bestowed to him again the following year. Since then a career of highs has followed:

The winner of the 1990 Sears Cup Youth Sailing Championship, in 1997 received 2nd place in the J-24 Nationals in addition to dozens of top finishes in championship J24 events as well as being a key member of the winning 1999 J80 North American Championship team and the winning 1999 J22 Mid-Atlantic Championship team. Dave has proven himself as a top performer in any position within a championship team, but he has excelled to become one of the best trimmers in the J24 and J22 class in the United States and still at a young age.

In January of 2000, David accepted a rare job offer in Dublin, Ireland where he put his economics degree to good use, and his joy of sailing on hold. A job venture expected to last only 5 weeks, stretched into 2 long, but prosperous, years. However, the time away from sailing, his true interest and talent, took its toll. Making the not-so-difficult decision, David chose to return to Houston, with a dual plan: a career in business and a focus on his joy of sailing.

Robbie Ramos 26, Tactician

Currently a law student set to graduate in the Spring of 2002, Robbie has proven a standout in Puerto Rican and North American Racing circles.

As a tactician, Robbie has a keen eye for breeze and patterns that develop in the melee, and his performance as Puerto Rican champion in the J24 and Melges 24 stand as testaments to his skills.

Fraito Lugo 28, Bowman and Driver

The Quantum Sails representative for Puerto Rico, Fraito has almost single-handedly brought one-design keelboat enthusiasm back to Puerto Rico. As a regular standout in the Puerto Rican Sunfish and handicap racing fleets, Fraito also boast Puerto Rican and Pan-Caribbean titles in the Melges 24 and J24 as a Driver.

His versatility as a sailor in small keelboats is exemplary, and he has developed a following amongst Puerto Rican sailors as a result.

Mattia D'Errico 23, Trimmer and Tactician

Once a member of the US Sailing Laser team, Mattia has been a standout in several small boats including Vanguard 15s, Lasers, Club 420s, J22s and J24s.

Currently working for Sealake Yacht Sales in Galveston, TX, Mattia is a regular on southern circuits for several classes of boats.