Dennis Conner
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Dennis W. Conner (born December 16, 1942) is an American yachtsman who has participated in the America's Cup nine times. The America's Cup is considered by most to be the pinnacle event of the sport of yachting.
Conner won the America's Cup four times, in 1974, 1980, 1987 and 1988, but was the first man ever to lose the famed cup to a challenger, in 1983, as well as the first man to lose it twice. He was skipper of the legendary Stars & Stripes boats. He also owns a shop, named Team Dennis Conner Team Shop. Within the Yachting community Conner's most famous for fundamentally changing the AC and racing in general from a amateur to professional status. Before 1980 AC competators were mostly volunteers who took time off to compete. Mr. Conner insisted on year round training with a new focus on physical fitness and on the water practice... hence professional crews.
Sponsored by software company Computer Associates among others, Conner was a rare non-billionaire fielding a team to compete in the 2003 America's Cup, held in New Zealand, despite receiving funding of up to 40 million US dollars from his sponsors. He is known to be an approachable competitor who likes signing autographs for his fans. He is often referred to as "Mr. America's Cup."
Conner has announced that he and his team will not be competing in the 2007 America's Cup in Valencia Spain due to a lack of funding.
Accomplishments
- Won 4 America’s Cups
- Won a Bronze medal in the 1976 Olympics
- Held Trans-Atlantic and Newport-to-Ensenada elapsed time records
- 2 Star class World Record(winner of every race)
- 4 Southern Ocean Racing Conferences wins
- 2 Congressional Cups
- 2 Etchell World’s (still ranked No. 1 Internationally)
- 2 Whitbread Round the World races
- Twice a member of the U.S. Admirals Cup team
- Past Commodore San Diego Yacht Club
- 7 time San Diego Yatchsman of the Year
- Author of 9 books (Comeback, Art of Winning, No Excuse to Lose)
External links
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