Captain Jonathan Buser

Captain Jon Buser first learned to sail in single person dinghies on Northern California lakes. By the time he reached high school he was sailing every weekend on San Francisco Bay with the Richmond Yacht Club junior program. Jon received his first indoctrination to America’s Cup sailing after college when he worked as crew aboard Stars and Stripes (USA-34) and Abracadabra (USA-54), both of which are used in charter operations in San Diego. Next the U.S. Coast Guard called and Jon served as a deck officer aboard polar capable ice breaking ships. These ships directly support scientific and national interests on oceans covered with 8+ feet of solid ice and are the only place where you should expect to hear a Captain order the ship to “back up and hit it again!” During this time, Jon had the unique experience of visiting both the geographic North Pole and Antarctica. All the while, Jon has maintained his passion for sailing and since 2000, he has lead group sailing expeditions to destinations including Croatia, Australia, the Caribbean, Mexico, California, and the Pacific Northwest. Jon recently returned to the Bay Area to join the ACsailingSF team after completing a Master of Business Administration degree from Georgetown University. Jon holds a U.S. Coast Guard 100 Ton Master’s License with sailing endorsement.

 

Brad Webb

Brad is the owner of USA 76 and ACsailingSF, founding the business in 2011 with his wife Karen.  Brad’s international sailing career has seen him compete in five America’s Cup regattas, winning the 33rd event in Spain with USA 17 and ORACLE Racing on February 14, 2010.  With the 34th America’s Cup heading to San Francisco, Brad decided that there needed to be a local, public connection to the oldest trophy in international sports.  Based on a model made successful in Auckland, San Diego, Sydney and St. Maarten, Brad set out to purchase the retired USA 76, convert her to a Coast Guard approved passenger vessel, and make her available for public charter.  ”We’ve had an amazing response from locals and visitors alike, and are confident that this will become a fixture on San Francisco’s waterfront”.

 

Jeanette Leckie

My name is Jeanette Leckie and I have been sailing for 13 years.  I’ve taken a lead as the Crew Chief on the yacht that is probably one of the most high-tech boats I’ll ever sail.  I grew up in Chicago, sailing on Lake Michigan on a 36′ cutter rigged Baba cruising “gypsy style.”  I quickly fell in love with the idea of having nature propel oneself to whichever direction desired.  I recently found myself in San Francisco and was graced to have my Latitude 38 profile be found by the USA76. 

 

Rob Horton

I learned to sail when I was very young at the San Francisco Yacht Club.  I started out sailing Optis then moved up to Fjs when I joined my high school racing team where I was on the Varsity team.  All through high school I sailed on various boats from J22s all the way up to an 82′ Maxi ocean racer.  I’ve always loved sailing, especially racing.  I’m now a sailing instructor at the San Francisco Yacht Club during the summer.  I currently race as bow on the Farr 40 Astra.  I joined the USA 76 team in late April when the boat was first getting put together.  I helped put the boat together and gained a lot of knowledge about the boat.  I currently attend college at The California Maritime Academy where I study International Business and Logistics and sail on USA 76 when I am not in school or racing.