Mark Orams
Professor of Sport and Recreation
Professor Mark Orams is a former NZ and world champion sailor, Team New Zealand member, author, environmentalist and Professor of Sport and Recreation at the Auckland University Technology.
We are your advocate, Aotearoa. Uncovering stories that matter, asking hard-hitting questions of those in power, live-blogging sport events, monitoring the highs and lows of the NZX and providing Premium expert opinion and analysis. Bringing you distinctive, quality journalism and breaking news from across New Zealand and around the world. With specialists working together to create indepth reads, engaging video, and unmissable podcasts.
Check out Mark’s latest content
The Sailing Professor: Tactical brilliance the difference between Team NZ and Ineos
OPINION: Kiwis dominate races seven and eight, expertly navigating shifting winds.
Sailing Professor: Breaking down TNZ's key mistakes that led to defeats
OPINION: There was no coming back from Team NZ's Race 5 error.
The Sailing Professor: How Ineos Britannia will look to mount a comeback
OPINION: Ineos Britannia is as fast in a straight line as Emirates Team New Zealand.
Teamwork New Zealand: How Kiwis dominated despite Brits' surprise move – Sailing Professor Mark Orams
OPINION: The Kiwis once again showed the weapon they have developed.
The Sailing Professor: Despite impressive start, Team NZ can't get carried away
OPINION: Team NZ drew first blood on the opening day in Barcelona.
The Sailing Professor: The radical changes NZ has made ahead of Cup
OPINION: Team NZ has had the luxury of not playing their hand early.
The Sailing Professor: The issue Team NZ must avoid to retain Auld Mug
OPINION: Team NZ will need to bring their A-game from the beginning of this Cup
The sailing professor: The variable that could decide Challenger Series final
OPINION: A final series between Luna Rossa and Ineos Britannia is a difficult one to pick.
The sailing professor: How small tweaks led the Brits to unexpected success
OPINION: Small tweaks could shift the competition's balance.
Sailing professor: The seven key factors that will decide America's Cup
More drama and controversy are around the corner as the pressure mounts in Barcelona.
America's Cup: Sailing professor ranks the contenders
America's Cup racing form revealed - New Zealand's top sailing pundit is back.
Sailing Professor: Adios NZ - Barcelona move will be great for America's Cup
OPINION: I don't always agree with Team NZ boss Grant Dalton, but on this one I do.
Mark Orams: Key questions NZ sailors have to answer after subpar Olympics
OPINION: New Zealand need to look towards their rivals to see the sailing benchmark.
Sailing Professor: The obvious issue which should be a warning to NZ sailing
OPINION: New Zealand's proud history in Olympic sailing won't continue by chance.
Sailing Professor: Average doesn't win medals - why I'm worried about NZ crews
Opinion: NZ doesn't have one crew in the top 10 but there is a way to turn things around.
Sailing Professor: This could be NZ's greatest Games - but at what cost?
Opinion: Here's to hoping our indulgence in sport doesn't result in more death.
Sailing professor: Why Team NZ's future is at stake today
COMMENT: At stake, the very future of the current Team New Zealand line up.
Sailing Professor: The selfless Kiwi partnership that broke the mould and won gold
Opinion: Kiwi sailor's Finn Gold Cup victory is more than a simple sporting triumph.
Sailing Professor: The costly conundrum facing Team NZ
The lessons that need to be heeded are those from Team NZ's last successful defence.
Sailing Professor: What you may have missed on Team NZ's breathless day
Somehow, Team New Zealand turned a disaster into triumph, writes Mark Orams.
Sailing for dummies: All the terms that will make you sound like a Cup expert
A guide from Mark Orams to help you decode the language used in this year's event.
Sailing Professor: Burling and Spithill's contrasting Cup styles - which will prevail?
OPINION: Day one of any America's Cup match is by far the most important.
Sailing Professor: Sir Peter Blake's DNA behind Team NZ's smart tactic
OPINION: The DNA of Sir Peter Blake still runs deep within Team New Zealand.
Sailing Professor: The critical factor for Team NZ that could decide the Am Cup
OPINION: Team NZ fans will probably experience a few nerves early on in the America's Cup.
Sailing Professor: 'Bad Blood' - the messy backstory to Prada Cup standoff
Opinion: The once happy marriage between ETNZ and the Italians is over.
Sailing Professor: Does Luna Rossa's rise spell major trouble for Team NZ?
OPINION: Team New Zealand will be watching closely - and there may be one concern.
Sailing Professor: Who I'm picking to win the Prada Cup
OPINION: There's too many variables for final to be a whitewash, but I do favour one team.
Sailing Professor: The refreshing surprise from the America's Cup
OPINION: I expected more of the same ugliness in this 36th edition of the America's Cup.
The Prada Cup surprise that's bigger than Ineos' comeback
OPINION: Something is unfolding in the Prada Cup which has defied all predictions.
Sailing Professor: How American Magic can get back on the water
What does the capsize and near sinking of American Magic's Patriot mean for them?
Sailing Professor: Why Team NZ's capsize was a blessing in disguise
OPINION: Things can turn bad very quickly in the AC75 yachts for this America's Cup.
Sailing professor: What Team NZ learned from 2013 Cup loss
Mark Orams: There was a sense of deja vu as I watched the World Series last week.
Sailing Professor: The Aussie who can help Team NZ win America's Cup
Mark Orams: So what did we learn from the World Series over the past few days?
Sailing Professor: Tricks and mind games - How Team NZ could fool everybody
OPINION: Not all will be what it seems out there as racing begins in the World Series.
'Sailing as we've never seen before': Where the America's Cup will be won
Things got very real, very quickly - and a little scary on first day of practice racing.
The Sailing Professor: The verdict on Team NZ's boat - and the team in trouble
Mark Orams: My verdict after seeing Te Rehutai in action, and the one team in trouble.
Sailing professor: Big questions over Team NZ's delayed launch
Mark Orams: Three possible reasons why Team NZ's second boat took so long to appear.
Sailing professor: Predicting the next big America's Cup controversy
Mark Orams: Team NZ has careful balancing act with shadow of San Francisco looming large.
Team NZ's secret weapon and why it should make us nervous
Team NZ will probably wait a while longer before revealing their competitive advantage.
The sailing professor: The real reason 'Kiwi Yachties' are in such high demand
The Sailing Professor: Kiwi Yachties" are revered by many and respected by all. But why?
The sailing professor: Battle of the big egos - How America's Cup teams stack up
Mark Orams: It's not just about the boats - and don't bet on syndicates to 'play nicely'.
Mark Orams: Who has the edge in the America's Cup design battle
Why the America's Cup design battle could be described as a drag race.
America's Cup: Tomorrow's forecast
The equation is now that Oracle Team USA must win six straight races.
America's Cup: What to expect on day four
Our sailing professor outlines what to expect as Oracle attempt to continue their comeback
Orams: Oracle faster after adjustments
As their America's Cup defence resumed, Oracle showed they have closed the gap to Team NZ.
What to expect when racing resumes
After a long break, sailing professor Mark Orams outlines what to expect tomorrow morning.
Orams: What could take down Team NZ?
What are the risks for Team NZ, and how can they minimise them?
America's Cup: What to expect tomorrow
The forecast for Day 2 (Races 3 and 4) of the 35th America's Cup is good for racing.
What to expect on day one of the finals
Sailing expert Mark Orams casts his eye over tomorrow's opening day of the America's Cup.
Six areas Team NZ need to improve to win Cup
Mark Orams highlights six key areas the Kiwis must improve in if they are to win.
America's Cup: What to expect tomorrow
One thing is clear - it's going to be a light wind, marginal foiling day.
Orams: Mistakes will cost Team NZ
One of the key lessons from today's session for Team NZ is that mistakes will cost them.
What to expect in the challenger finals
Team New Zealand and Artemis will have to adapt to a change in conditions tomorrow.
Mark Orams: Dunking has made this team tougher
COMMENT: It's the "silver lining" syndrome, finding advantage out of disadvantage.
'She looks like a rocket ship'
Mark Orams on TNZ's rebuilt boat: smooth and in the groove, fast and stable.
America's Cup: What to expect tomorrow
Will Team New Zealand be good to go tomorrow morning?
America's Cup: Stronger winds tomorrow
Winds could be too high for racing tomorrow in the America's Cup.
Advice to TNZ: Get up and go sailing
How does TNZ deal with the psychological impact of their capsize? Laugh it off and learn.
Orams: More breakages on the cards
Orams: Even the closest checks won't ensure no more America's Cup breakages
America's Cup: What to expect tomorrow
The PredictWind forecast for the America's Cup is more positive and looks good for racing.
Spithill's antics trying to create self-doubt
Where to from here for Emirates TNZ after a "coulda, shoulda, woulda" loss to Oracle?
America's Cup: What to expect in semis
The weather forecast holds promising signs for Team New Zealand.
Orams: Mistakes, lessons to be learned
TNZ sailed flawlessly on Saturday, then fell short when it really counted.
America's Cup: What to expect tomorrow
Mark Orams looks at predicted conditions and who's likely to gain on a big day.
Orams: America's Cup cream rises to top
The penultimate day of the America's Cup qualifier series produced the best sailing yet.
Double race day looms for Team NZ
Team NZ has their two race day tomorrow, which could be a challenge.
Did Team New Zealand reveal too much?
Word was the Kiwis could fly in low wind. Sailing scuttlebutt? Not on today's evidence.
America's Cup: Forecast bad for sailing
Predictive models show light winds that do not reach the strengths needed for racing.
What are the AmCup teams holding back?
Sailing Prof Mark Orams: Yachts becalmed, but a different story behind the scenes
America's Cup - who has the edge?
Sailing Professor Mark Orams ranks the syndicates going into the second round robin.
America's Cup: What to expect
Strong winds are expected in Bermuda for the third day of racing.
What we learned from Day 2 in Bermuda
Professor Mark Orams takes a look at what has been a sailor's regatta - at least so far.
Seven things to watch for during racing
The 'racing professor' details 7 things to look out for in Bermuda.
7 reasons Bermuda will be different
This America's Cup is the most wide open in history, here's why.