Meet Dennis Conner - Mr. America's Cup
Four-time America's Cup-winning skipper, Dennis Conner is clearly one of the most recognized names in the world of professional sailing. Mr. Conner won the Cup in 1974, 1980, 1987, and 1988, earning the moniker "Mr. America's Cup."
Beyond his stellar accomplishments in competitive sailing, Mr. Conner is credited with being a driving influence in transforming the sport of yacht racing from amateur to professional status.
Prior to the 1980 America's Cup, most competitors were volunteers and amateur crewmen who sailed and trained on a part-time basis. As the Skipper for Stars & Stripes / Team USA, Dennis initiated the practice of year 'round training that combined rigorous fitness workouts with on-the-water practice. This elevated level of commitment led to the re-emergence of professional crews in international yacht racing.
Mr. Conner is a three-time U.S. Yachtsman of the Year, seven-time San Diego Yachtsman of the Year, and an inductee of the U.S. Sailing Hall of Fame. He's also, of course, one of the most celebrated members of the America's Cup Hall of Fame.
Add a VIP to your sailing excursion, regatta or corporate event. Ask whether Mr. Conner is available to join you. If your group would like to spend an evening with Mr. America's Cup, click here to learn about our "Dinner with Dennis" invitation.
Dennis Conner & the America's Cup
From 1987 through to 2003 Conner was skipper of the legendary Stars & Stripes boats. He also owns a shop, named Team Dennis Conner Team Shop. Within the Yachting community, Conner is most famous for fundamentally changing the America's Cup, and racing in general, from an amateur to professional status. Before the 1980 America's Cup competitors 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. This change in approach led to a return to professional crews in sailing, which had hardly been seen since the 1930's.
Accomplishments
- Won four America's Cups
- Won a Bronze medal in the 1976 Summer Olympics (with Conn Findlay) in the Tempest class
- Held Trans-Atlantic and Newport-to-Ensenada elapsed time records
- 2 Star Class World Championships (winner of every race in Kiel Germany with 89 boats)
- 4 Southern Ocean Racing Conferences wins
- 2 Congressional Cups
- 3 Etchell World's (plus long periods ranked No. 1 Internationally)
- 2 Whitbread Round the World races
- Twice a member of the U.S. Admirals Cup team
- 3 TIME US Yachtsman of the Year
- US Sailing Hall of Fame
- America's Cup Hall of Fame
- 7 time San Diego Yachtsman of the Year
- 1987 ABC's Wide World of Sports Athlete of the Year
- Author of 9 books (Comeback, Art of Winning, No Excuse to Lose, Sail Like a Champion, History of the America's Cup)
- Winner 28 World Championships
