Scott Nixon has been involved with racing his whole life. An All-American sailor at St. Mary’s College of Maryland, Scott later coached many students to the All-American ranks at the College of Charleston in South Carolina. He has a wide range of racing experiences, including dinghies, One Design keelboats, inshore big boats, and offshore distance racing.

Scott joined Quantum Sails in 2000, and his experiences bring a unique skill-set to Quantum’s programs. Focusing primarily on One Design classes, he is directly involved in testing, design, and development of Quantum’s One Design sail programs, working directly with the design team to make sure Quantum® sails are at the front of the fleet.

Scott has sailed with Quantum customers to win championships at the world, Gold Cup, European, North American, and national levels. His hands-on approach includes active campaigns and racing in the following classes for Quantum: J/22, J/24, J/70, J/80, J/109, J/111, C&C 30, Farr 30, Farr 40, NYYC 42, Swan 45, Melges 20, Melges 24, and Melges 32.

When Gary Leduc was five years old, his neighbor offered to teach him to sail if Gary would help him put together a wooden skiff. Gary agreed, and he’s been sailing ever since. A lifelong fan of the water, he spent most of his high school and college years sailing and surfing, even missing school to enjoy the water. When his neighbor, and owner of Manchester Sails, heard about Gary’s passion, he offered to teach Gary how to make sails. That offer turned into a career in the sailmaking industry.

Gary started making sails in 1969. He has been working at Quantum Bristol for more than 20 years, since before they joined Quantum Sails. He learned his trade the traditional way, making everything by hand. Today, his main focus is designing all types of cruising sails for yachts up to 60 feet.

As a member of the Quantum group, Gary has access to not only the best sail-making technology, but also to the most knowledgeable sailors in the country. “If you have a question, I can quickly Skype with or email someone and always get the answer,” he said. He uses those resources to make sure each of his clients not only get the best product, but also the best information and service. “I want to help educate them about the product and make them feel warm and comfortable,” Gary said. “In the end, they aren’t going to buy something from you if they don’t feel good about the conversation they’ve had with you.”

Jeff Thorpe was eight years old when he started the Leo Robbins sailing program. The instructor told his dad that Jeff wasn’t cut out for sailing, but Jeff went back the next season and hasn’t stopped sailing since. Throughout high school he raced Sabots, Lasers, and Laser 2s. When it was time for college, he didn’t have the money, so he took a job building and racing Morc boats at Pinnacle Yacht Design Group.

Jeff stayed involved in the marine industry in a variety of ways, from an Olympic campaign with friends to fixing and rebuilding J/24s at his own shop to working in a sail loft. While working at the loft, he had the opportunity to sail on a J/125 with Quantum sails. Jeff was impressed with what he saw. He contacted Quantum Sails and told them he needed to work for them.

Today Jeff works as a sail consultant at the Quantum Pacific loft, giving his clients the attention to detail they need to find the right sails. With his extensive sailing history, he’s more than qualified to help others figure out exactly what they need to meet their goals. "I spent years running offshore racing programs, so I have a fair bit of knowledge that helps me provide my clients with a great resource when they have questions," said Jeff. "I make sure they understand all the options available to them to help them enjoy their sailing."

Jeff's sailing experience includes J/70, J/111, J/105, J/125, Melges 24, Olson 30, E-22, PHRF, ORR, IRC, TP 52, Santa Cruz 70, and Santa Cruz 52 classes, as well as offshore catamarans, cruising boats, and racing boats.

Kris Werner is a graduate of New York Maritime College at Fort Schuyler, where he earned an unlimited tonnage/oceans USCG license and a Bachelor of Science degree in marine transportation and business. For several years, Kris served as a collegiate sailing coach, bringing the team to a top 20 US ranking. He then served as a ship's officer on oceangoing tankers. Previous positions include a chief officer on the Rochester Fast Ferry, a broker with RCR Yachts, and designing with Steve Haarstick for Beneteau 40.7s, J/24s, and J/70s. For the past three years, Kris worked at Haarstick Sailmakers, becoming owner of the sail loft.

Kris has extensive experience on offshore and one design racing campaigns, as both a driver and crew. In addition to a busy life sailing and running his business, Kris is the proud father of three energetic boys: Steven, Chase, and Austin.