Bio

Educated at Westlake Boys High School. Best known internationally for his participation in the America’s Cup with Team New Zealand and Emirates Team New Zealand.

In the 2007 Americas Cup series in Valencia, Spain, Emirates Team New Zealand, of which he was the skipper, went down decisively 5-2 to the Swiss boat Alinghi. Barker was clearly outmanoeuvred by the Swiss boat in all of the five races won by Alinghi.[1]

Barker’s father is the well-known New Zealand multi-millionaire Ray Barker of the Barkers Clothing retail chain. Barker married former New Zealand field hockey representative Mandy Smith in February 2004. They have two daughters named Mia and Olivia.

Barker sailed from an early age, starting out in Optimist and P Class boats, before graduating to 470s and Lasers.