By RNZ

Kiwi sailor Matt Mitchell, who won the America’s Cup with three different teams, has died aged 53.

Mitchell, who had cancer, died in Auckland last week.

He took part in six America’s Cup regattas, winning with Team New Zealand in 2000, Alinghi in 2007 and Oracle in 2013. The third win was a famous one, with Oracle coming from 8-1 behind to beat Team NZ 9-8.

Lifelong friend Craig Satterthwaite told Yachting NZ that Mitchell was intensely determined and talented.

“He was just a natural yachtie, and he could do anything on the boat. He was a bowman in the America’s Cup, a mid-bow, a top Zephyr sailor, and he won a handful of nationals with us on the 5.9.”

Mitchell’s funeral service will be held at the Royal Akarana Yacht Club on Tuesday afternoon.

- RNZ