Bertrand joins Bladerider

John Bertrand has been appointed to the Bladerider board

Bladerider International, makers of the Bladerider Moth, has appointed prominent Australian yachting identity John Bertrand to its board of directors as an independent director.

In 1983, John Bertrand skippered the winged keel Australia II to victory over Dennis Connor's Liberty to win the America's Cup. His victory broke 132 years of American domination of the race and, shattered the longest-standing record in the history of modern sport.

Billed as the race of the century, the 1983 America's Cup series was perhaps the greatest upset in modern sports history.

A World Champion and Olympic medallist, Bertrand represented Australia in five America's Cups and at the Munich and Montreal Olympic Games and was awarded Membership of the Order of Australia (AM) in 1985.

He is a life member of the International America's Cup Hall of Fame, and a life member and Chairman of the Sport Australia Hall of Fame, as well as being Chairman of the Australian Olympic Sailing Team selection committee for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

During his 30-year business career, Bertrand has established successful businesses in the marine, property development, and media industries.

He is Executive Chairman of WorldWide Entertainment, the television production and distribution company that exports television programs to more than 150 countries worldwide.

Bladerider International, based in Melbourne, Australia, is a global innovator in extreme sailing. Its main product, the Bladerider, is one of the fastest single-handed sailing craft in the world.

The Bladerider X8 is derived from and 100% compliant with the renowned International Moth class which has seen rapid growth in class numbers across four continents and offers an exciting blend of speed, action and thrills.

Due to its light-weight construction and advanced engineering design, the Bladerider can lift in six knots of wind, fly through a lull as low as four knots, and will achieve boat speeds in excess of 20 knots in a 12-15 knot wind.

High profile sailors of the Bladerider include Australians Rohan Veal, a Moth world champion, 18' skiff champion John Harris, 49er and Volvo Ocean Race sailor Chris Nicholson and French Vendee Globe veteran and Volvo 70 skipper, Sebastian Josse.

Bladerider International has earned a reputation as the most innovative company in the world in the design, manufacture and distribution of extreme sports equipment. It has resellers and distributors in over 40 countries.