Cruising World magazine names Burnham editor
NEWPORT, R. I. – World Publications Sailing Group Publisher Sally Helme has appointed John Burnham to editor of Cruising World, effective January 1, the company said in a press release Wednesday.
Burnham takes over from Herb McCormick, who becomes editor-at-large and will travel and write extensively for the magazine. Burnham, currently the editor of sister title Sailing World, will now be responsible for the editorial vision of both magazines.
“John has distinguished himself as one of the most talented and dedicated professionals in the sailing industry,” Helme said. “He loves sailing in all its forms and has a proven ability to bring its many facets to life for readers.”
Burnham has been with Sailing World since 1979, starting as an editorial assistant when the magazine was called Yacht Racing & Cruising. He became editor in 1983, and the name was changed to Sailing World in 1986. In addition to his duties with the magazine, Burnham has also served as editorial director at a number of the magazine’s trade and custom publications, including Sailing Business, the Sailors’ Sourcebook and American Sailor.
“What Cruising World does unlike any other magazine is present insightful narratives of cruising sailors for whom the relationship of wind, boats and water offers the potential to change the way readers live,” Burnham said. “Whether the stories come from cruising grounds far away or close to home, the magazine inspires readers to set sail, then gives them the tools they’ll need through in-depth stories on cruising sailboats, their equipment and systems, and the critical skills needed to cruise and maintain them.”
Burnham is a board member of Sail America, the industry trade association, and chairman of the America’s Cup Hall of Fame Selection Committee. A lifelong competitive sailor, he has won the International One-Design World Championship twice and the Shields National Championship once. He has cruised with his family in Maine, southern New England, the Great Lakes and the Caribbean.
McCormick started at Cruising World 26 years ago. He, too, worked his way quite literally from the front desk to the top position. McCormick has won numerous journalism prizes, including several Boating Writers International awards, the Monk Farnham Award from BoatUS and the top award for marine journalism, the NMMA Directors’ Award. He co-authored a book about the BOC Race, entitled Out There. He also served as the yachting correspondent for the New York Times for four years starting in 2000. McCormick’s new role as editor-at-large will afford him much more time to travel and sail around the globe and write about it.
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