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Skipper Derek Hatfield - Biography
| Date of Birth: | August 30, 1952 | Height: | 5'10"/1.78m |
| Place of Birth: | Newcastle, New Brunswick, Canada | Weight: | 185lbs/84.0kg |
| Residence: | Aurora, Ontario, Canada |
| Significant Single-handed Results |
| 2002 Around Alone: | 3rd |
| 1999 Bermuda One-Two: | 2nd |
| 1997 Bermuda One-Two: | 2nd |
1996 Legend Cup
Transatlantic Race: | 1st/Overall Winner |
1996 Europe One
Single-handed Transatlantic: | 7th |
Hatfield is one of only 126 sailors in history to finish a single-handed race around the world...Starting in September 2002 at the age of 50, and finishing after 182 days racing on the water - he sailed over 28,700 nautical miles single-handedly, finishing 3rd in the Open 40 Spirit of Canada (pitch-polled and dismasted his boat off the coast of Cape Horn, and spent five weeks repairing the boat, before getting back into the race) ...Spent five years building the Open 40 boat with the assistance of friends and family...The 1996 Europe One Single-handed Transatlantic race was a gruelling 28-day, 4000-mile slog across the North Atlantic, considered among the most treacherous waters in the world - rigging failure prevented Hatfield from a higher ranking but his perseverance allowed him to complete the course...Other significant results include: 3rd in Class 2 for the combined legs of the 1995 Bermuda One-Two; 1st in 1994 Labatt's Single-handed Race Series...Was introduced to the sport by a neighbour in Whitby, Ontario...Has accrued more than 90,000 nautical miles of sailing and yacht racing experience...Has competed in countless national and international regattas on sailboats of all sizes, honing his skills in both crewed and short-handed events...Favourite vessel to sail is the Open 60...First international competition was the Bermuda 1-2 Race in 1995...Most influenced by Lloyd Hircock...Named the 2003 Rolex Sailor of the Year and won the 2003 Gerry Roufs Offshore Sailing Award...Has partnered with Earth Rangers - a charitable organization funded by the Schad Foundation "inspiring within children a lasting passion to improve the environment."
Attended Nackawic High School in New Brunswick, Canada... Graduated from York University in Toronto, Ontario with a Bachelors degree in Administrative Studies... Joined the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in 1971 and divided his time between yacht racing and a demanding career - rose to the rank of Corporal in just eight years and specialized in complex fraud investigations... In 1986, he joined the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSE) as the Manager of the Compliance Department, responsible for the managing of a professional team of auditors doing reviews of the Exchange membership... Later employed by National Bank Financial and responsible for all regulatory requirements... Started Spirit of Canada Ocean Challenges... Mother Pauline and father Art are retired... has two sons, Devin and Aron.... Has a brother (Hal) and a sister (Tammy)... Speaks English and is learning French... Enjoys motivation speaking at schools and corporations.
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