TFE LIVE: Irrepressible super sailor, author, lecturer, adventurist, Cam "The Ham" Lewis (

SAN FRANCISCO (#1182) – We are very pleased to have Cam Lewis (USA), one of the most versatile and experienced sailors in the history of the sport – a winner in dinghies, ice boats, the Olympic Finn Class, the America's Cup (twice), offshore monohulls, round-the-world and distance record-setting multihulls, I could go on – on today's TFE LIVE.

To get a feel for our long-time friend, read this profile of him from the LA Times during the America's Cup – in 1988! And there's been a lot of damn, and sailing joy and success, over the water in the four decades since. Excerpt:

Lewis began sailing at the age of 4, in 14-foot dinghies. His father, George, who owned a 1-ton boat Conner once sailed, had Cam sailing "as soon as I was able to push and pull a boat" at the family's retreat in Maine.

But there was a time when Cameron Lewis nearly took the Go To College and Get A Job route. He dropped out, though.

"I never went back to school," he said. "Life is better. You learn a lot more. I have friends all over the world. It's a privilege to see the world. I also think the next 10 years, corporate sponsors will become more interested in sailing."

If that happens, then what?

"I will spend all of my time sailing."

One other thing. When Lewis goes to Africa, he won't make like that other free spirit, Hemingway.

"Oh, I won't hunt," he said. "I couldn't shoot anything, couldn't kill anything. Probably would hurt myself trying."

Cam will be my special guest on today's (Friday) TFE LIVE, as always at 1300 Pacific / 2100 UTC on our Sailing Illustrated Facebook page live via Skype from Vero Beach, FL. As we did with sailing savant Luca Devoti (ITA) on Tuesday's show (watch a replay of that delightful and insightful 90 minute-show here), we will discuss Cam's take on the State of our Sport, including the America's Cup, SailGP, World Sailing, the 2024 Olympic Classes, and his next sailing adventures. As usual we will take your questions and comments via our live Facebook feed, or email them to us in advance. If you can't join us live, as usual you can watch a replay (of all of our previous shows) on our FB page.

One sign that Cam Lewis, who grew up on monohulls in a traditional New York YC family, has never heeded. Join us to hear from the man on his extraordinary life, and his next sailing adventure, on today's TFE LIVE.