Team members and Naval Architecture students Will Cyr, David Oliver, Chris Oliver, and Tom Etheridge met with alumn Scott Ferguson in January to discuss ORACLE Racing, Michigan Sailing, and Naval Architecture last month. Ferguson was a three-time All-American sailor for the University of Michigan from 1980-82 and is the Design Executive for ORACLE's wing. Ferguson is one of many Michigan Sailing alumni whose life after college continues to involve boats and racing, and the team members were incredibly grateful to see where their degrees could take them.
Back Row from Left: Tom Etheridge, Scott Ferguson
Front Row from Left: Chris Oliver, David Oliver, Will Cyr
Scott Ferguson Profile:
Date of Birth: July 1, 1961
Birthplace: Michigan, USA
Nationality: USA
Position: Design Executive – Rig Design
Birthplace: Michigan, USA
Nationality: USA
Position: Design Executive – Rig Design
A member of ORACLE Racing’s design team since 2007, Scott manages the design and engineering work done on the wing. He also oversees the implementation of the new rig components into the boats, often including sailing onboard during the sea trials and testing.
Scott lists the team’s victory in the 33rd America’s Cup in February 2010 as his crowning achievement in the sport, followed six months later by winning his second consecutive Laser Masters World Championship.
A member of many winning crews at grand-prix regattas, Scott’s sailing career flourished at an early age when he was named a three-time All-American (1982-84) at the University of Michigan, where he earned a naval architecture degree (1984).
For the 33rd Cup “Ferg” was deeply involved in the design of the wingsail that powered ORACLE Racing’s trimaranUSA 17 to victory. He also had a heavy hand in designing the wing for the AC45, which is a scaled down version of the 223-foot tall wing used to win the Cup.
“Seeing projects like the AC45 develop from the initial concept, design, production process to actually sailing on the boat and seeing the project come to life as you had envisioned is very rewarding,” says Scott.
“I enjoy the balance between time behind the computer and time on the water and in the shop. Working closely with the builders, sailors, and team technicians gives you the perspective to go back to the drawing board and create designs that are truly practical and achievable.”
Career Highlights
2010: 33rd America’s Cup, BMW ORACLE Racing, winner
2009, 10: Laser Master World Championship, Winner
2007–10: TP52 Med Cup & World Championship Quantum, Mast Designer
2005–10: Volvo 70 Mast Design: Puma, Telefónica, ABN Amro, Pirates of the Caribbean
1998–2007: America’s Cup, Mast Design Manager: Prada, Luna Rossa, Young America
2000: Kenwood Cup, Esmeralda, Winner (navigator, mast designer)
Newport-Bermuda Race, Heatwave, Winner (tactician, mast designer)
1998: IMS US National Championship, Rima (helmsman, mast designer)
1997: Admiral’s Cup, German Team, 2nd place, Rubin (trimmer, mast designer)
2010: 33rd America’s Cup, BMW ORACLE Racing, winner
2009, 10: Laser Master World Championship, Winner
2007–10: TP52 Med Cup & World Championship Quantum, Mast Designer
2005–10: Volvo 70 Mast Design: Puma, Telefónica, ABN Amro, Pirates of the Caribbean
1998–2007: America’s Cup, Mast Design Manager: Prada, Luna Rossa, Young America
2000: Kenwood Cup, Esmeralda, Winner (navigator, mast designer)
Newport-Bermuda Race, Heatwave, Winner (tactician, mast designer)
1998: IMS US National Championship, Rima (helmsman, mast designer)
1997: Admiral’s Cup, German Team, 2nd place, Rubin (trimmer, mast designer)
-Will Cyr, '14
