Laurie Jury has been immersed in boating his entire life. Born into a seafaring lifestyle, he lived aboard a boat cruising Australia and the Pacific Islands until the age of four. That early connection to the water sparked a lifelong passion, particularly for competitive sailing.
Laurie began racing in high school and went on to compete internationally for over 15 years. He was a regular on the World Match Racing Tour, sailing as both a helmsman for his own team and a tactician for others. Over the course of his professional racing career, Laurie won seven national championships, claimed nine major international titles, and stood on the podium at many more world-class events.
Beyond racing, Laurie has an impressive coaching résumé. He served as a coach for the Netherlands at the 2012 London Olympics, was national coach for Japan at the 2008 Asian Games, and Korea at the 2010 Asian Games. His coaching experience also spans Singapore, India, and a leadership role as Coaching Development Manager for Yachting New Zealand.
In 2009, Laurie collaborated with David Blair to design and build Lucifer, a high-performance racing trimaran. The boat has since become a standout on the New Zealand racing circuit, with major wins including BMW Race Week, Bay of Islands Race Week, and the Coastal Classic Yacht Race.
Laurie’s hands-on boatbuilding experience began early, working alongside his stepfather David Blair during school and university holidays. Even while racing professionally, he returned home in the off-season to work on boats, continuing to refine his practical skills and eye for detail.
Most recently, Laurie completed a full refit of Monet, a Townson 46, which he sailed with his family to Tonga and Fiji. He also brings extensive experience handling motor vessels—gained through years of coaching and during his time as Sailing Director at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron.
Laurie’s rare combination of high-level racing experience, practical boatbuilding knowledge, and international coaching expertise gives him a deep understanding of what boat owners truly need. At Blair Boats, he applies this insight to deliver innovative, high-quality, and highly personalized solutions—built to perform, and built to last.
