David Hughes (sailor)

David "Dave" Hughes (born January 22, 1978 in Ithaca, NY) is an American professional sailor and member of the 2016 US Olympic Team. He is best known for his accomplishments on the Olympic sailing circuit as both an athlete and coach. Hughes was a US Olympic Team coach at the 2012 London Olympics, coaching Erik Storck and Trevor Moore in the 49er class. David is a 2x National champion and 3x North American champion in the 470 class. He has won 4x World Cup Gold Medals and 2x European Championship medals. Notable highlights include recent Gold Medals at the 2016 Sailing World Cup Miami, 2015 Europeans Championships, 2015 Sailing World Cup Weymouth, and 2013 Sailing World Cup Miami, as well as multiple medals in other Olympic and non-Olympic events, including winning the 2016 Melges 24 World Championship. He burst onto the Olympic scene with a win at the 2005 Kiel Week Regatta with Michael Anderson-Mitterling. After the 2012 Olympics, Hughes partnered with two-time Olympian Stuart McNay. The two qualified together for the 2016 Olympic Games, representing the US in the Men's 470 two-person discipline. Hughes has three-times been nominated for US Yachtsman of the Year. He is a duel citizen of both the US and France. He holds both Batchelor's and Master's degrees; he was a US Senate, US House, and White House West Wing intern during years 1996-1998. Hughes currently lives in Miami, FL.