Mark Towill

“We know that our team’s everyday actions have a long-lasting effect below the surface, impacting ocean health, and ultimately, our climate. We work to minimize this impact and leverage our offshore sailing campaign as a platform to accelerate change through sporting excellence in sailing, ocean advocacy, and sustainable innovation.”

As CEO of 11th Hour Racing Team, Mark’s goal is to put together the best possible team with the aim of winning The Ocean Race trophy for the first time — while raising awareness and inspiring the sailing community and racing fans around the world with respect to environmental issues and ocean health.

Mark grew up sailing on the eastern shores of Oahu, Hawaii before racing at both the prestigious Punahou School and Brown University Sailing Team, where he sailed with fellow team co-founder Charlie Enright.

In 2008 at the age of 18, Mark was selected to participate in the 44th Transpac Race aboard Morning Light, where he first met Charlie. Mark was the youngest member on the team and the experience crystallized his ultimate goal of competing in the round-the-world Volvo Ocean Race, which he did in 2014-15 with Team Alvimedica. The duo put together a second campaign for 2017-18 with Vestas 11th Hour Racing.

NATIONALITY:

USA

THE OCEAN RACE EXPERIENCE:

2014-15 Team Alvimedica

2017-18 Vestas 11th Hour Racing

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE WAY TO CONNECT WITH THE OCEAN?

Kitesurfing

IF YOU WERE A MARINE ANIMAL WHAT WOULD YOU BE?

Sea Turtle – Honu in Hawaiian

SHARE A FUN FACT ABOUT YOU AND SAILING:

The first time I went sailing when I was a young child I hated the feeling of the boat heeling over and I cried like a baby!