Ted Turner Was a Champion Sailor, Friends Say

Ted Turner died this week at 88, leaving behind a legacy that stretched far beyond his role as a media mogul. Those who knew him best remember a man who excelled at everything he touched—including competitive sailing.

Turner was an accomplished yachtsman who competed at the highest levels of the sport. Friends describe someone larger than life: relentless, ambitious, and driven to win on the water just as he had in business and philanthropy.

The media pioneer founded CNN, Turner Broadcasting System, and owned the Atlanta Braves. But he was equally serious about conservation efforts, donating millions of acres of land across the American West and South.

For those close to him, Turner’s competitive spirit on the yacht was inseparable from the man who built an empire. He demanded excellence from himself and those around him, whether negotiating a business deal or racing across open water.