Photo Gallery (photos from Jack Sutphen, team member of Stars & Stripes)
Airs on ESPN Classic:
American skipper Dennis Conner was vilified for losing the America's Cup in 1983. The New York Yacht Club had held it for 132 years. Conner and his crew aboard Liberty faced a technologically superior boat named Australia II, that featured an innovative winged keel. In a best of 7 race series it came down to one final race. Liberty led for most of the race, but lost near the end of the race. Depressed by the defeat, it took several months for Conner to recover.
Six months later Conner mounted a comeback. But, first he had to defeat 12 other teams to earn the right to be the challenger. After a grueling elimination series Conner prevailed, and faced the Australians in the 1987 America's Cup. Conner won in four straight, and became a national hero. ESPN covered the races live.
This program relives this amazing comeback tale. Dennis Conner talks about his experience on the 25th year Anniversary of his victory with Stars & Stripes.
The program is sponsored by North Sails and Rolex. It is hosted by Gary Jobson and Jim Kelly.