Sunday, 22 December 2024
Dennis Conner
- Contest: The US Athletic Hall of Fame - Athletes 2024
- Embed from Getty Images
- Sport(s): Sailing
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Statistics:
3 America’s Cup wins (1980, 1987 & 1988)
2 Star Class World Championship Gold Medals (1971 & 1977)
1 Star Class World Championship Silver Medal (1978)
1 Olympic Bronze Medal (1976)
Member of the National Sailing Hall of Fame and America’s Cup Hall of Fame -
The most famous yachtsman in the last 100 years in the United States is Dennis Conner, and with good reason.
An Olympic Bronze medalist in the 1976 Montreal Olympics, Conner won two Star Class World Championships in the 1970s. One of the first sailors to dedicate himself to a physical regime and full-time train in sailing, Conner's success through the 1970s was building towards the 1980 America's Cup. That year, he successfully defended the United States when his ship, Freedom, held back the challenge of Australia's James Hardy.
Four years later, Conner unsuccessfully defended the America’s Cup against James Bond of Australia. The 132-year history of American dominance when James Bond (Australia) beat Conner four races to three in 1983. It was a tragedy for American sailing, but the battle became an instant classic, and it elevated the sport to a higher audience.
Four years later, Conner, who had previously competed on behalf of the New York Yacht Club, was now representing the San Diego Yacht Club, and he reclaimed America’s Cup with his vessel, Stars & Stripes 87. Conner defended it one year later, in Stars & Stripes 88, defeating his Australian opponent. Conner would unsuccessfully challenge for America’s Cup in 1995, but while he lost, his legacy as the most recognized sailor in the United States was already locked in stone.
We are proud to nominate Dennis Conner for the United States Athletic Hall of Fame.
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