Please select your home edition
Edition
Maritimo S Series

‘I am glad I lost the America’s Cup’ says Dennis Conner

by Rob Kothe on 25 Oct 2002
The Sailor who stood between Australia and the America's Cup. The Man the Kiwi's love to hate. Dennis Conner - his name is synonymous with the America's Cup.

The villain, who stood between Australia and the Cup for many years, is in the middle of his ninth campaign to win yachting's most famous trophy.

Conner won the cup four times, in 1974, 1980, 1987 and 1988, and lost it twice, in 1983 and 1995.

Big Bad Dennis is sailing again for the New York Yacht Club, almost 20 years after he lost the cup to Australia II in 1983.

The loss ended the New York club's 132-year stranglehold on the Auld Mug.

Talking yesterday to an audience of yachties and businessmen at yesterday’s Air New Zealand luncheon at Sydney Tattersalls Club the 60 year old sailor is still passionate about the America’s Cup.

‘Me losing after 132 years was the best thing that ever happened to the America's Cup and the best thing that ever happened to Dennis Conner,'

‘Before the win by the Australians, the America's Cup was only big in the minds of the yachties, but the rest of the world didn't know or care about it at all. But when we lost it… it was a little bit like losing the Panama Canal - suddenly everyone appreciated it.

If I hadn't lost it, there never would have been the national effort to get it back in Fremantle, and without that there never would have been the ticker-tape parade up Fifth Avenue in New York, lunch with the President at the White House and all the doors of opportunity that it opened...’

Asked how he felt after that historic loss. ‘It was awful. I just did not want to get out of bed in the morning. I am usually full of like and energy. . I just wanted to hide. But I figured out that I just had to get it back and that mission is what got me going again.’

After winning the cup back in Fremantle in 1987 then came the farcical defence in San Diego.

He sailed a 70+ foot Cat, and his Kiwi competitors had a 90-foot monohull he called a Dog.

Then everyone sat down and draw up a sensible set of rules. After that Conner saw victory go to the New Zealanders in a fair fight and then the Kiwis Black Magic sailed the Challenger Prada off the course in the last series.

Back in Auckland again, with the New York Yacht Club for whom he had historically lost it.

‘They did not like me for a long time, after all I was that big fat loser, but they’ve not been able to mount a good campaign without me, so now we are back together.'

Conner explains that only two campaigns are without a B. His and the Kiwis.

'B’s ...Billionaires. Usually there is one billionaire in each campaign. This time there are seven billionaires to race against. We have four of the top 50 richest men in the world and two of the top 10.'

Conner is not on the wheel of Stars and Stripes, but is acting as campaign manager. It has been his name and reputation that has gathered together the large group of Corporate sponsors who have produced the NYYC effort.

Who does he think will win the Challenger series?

Well, if it comes to December and his Stars and Stripes is not in the contest. After yesterday's loss to Prada that is looking increasingly likely.

‘I’d have to put my money on Russell Coutts, he is the best sailor in the world. The Alinghi team knows the gulf and they have a B behind them.’

Almost to reinforce those comments as Conner was talking in Sydney, Russell Coutts skippering the Swiss Alinghi, beat Australia’s own James Spithill and the OneWorld crew in a close race yesterday afternoon.
Mackay Boats 728x90 BOTTOMNavico NZ Zeus3S FOOTERSydney International On-Water Boat Show 2025

Related Articles

America's Cup: Big day for 38th Cup
Friday October 17, was a big day for the America's Cup in NZ. Friday October 17, was a big day for the America's Cup - when the Defender went sailing for the first time in the new Cup cycle; the Kiwis announced four new team members; Grant Dalton and Ben Ainslie explained more on the new America's Cup Partnership.
Posted today at 3:55 am
Emirates Team NZ rounds out sailing team
Emirates Team NZ team are back out sailing with their AC40 from their home base in Auckland. Almost a year to the day since Emirates Team New Zealand won the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup the team are back out sailing with their AC40 from their home base in Auckland.
Posted today at 1:02 am
Transat Café L'or fleet has mustered in Le Havre
148 skippers, 74 boats, 4 classes At nine days before the start of the 17th edition of the TRANSAT CAFÉ L'OR Le Havre Normandie, all the skippers have now arrived in Le Havre, marking the start of the festivities.
Posted on 16 Oct
IFCA Fin & Foil Slalom Europeans day 1
Two perfect opening days Johan Søe leads the Men's Foil ranking, while Justine Lemeteyer dominates among the women, topping both the Foil and Fin divisions. In the Men's Fin fleet, Jordy Vonk is in the lead, followed by Nicolas Prien and Malte Reuscher.
Posted on 16 Oct
Allocation of entries for the 29er Worlds in Kiel
All countries will be allocated a minimum of three entries The 29er Class has not restricted entries for the World or European Championships in the past but due to the expected popularity of the Worlds in 2026 in Kiel we feel it is necessary to do an Entry Allocation. This is very difficult to do fairly.
Posted on 16 Oct
Exiting new product for METS
A+T Instruments is proud to be supplying instruments for some of the most advanced yachts The marine world gathers at METS in Amsterdam. A+T is proud to be supplying instruments for some of the most advanced new-build yachts. Watch the video to see how we can help you with your next project.
Posted on 16 Oct
A Day at the Allen Factory!
New and innovative products, cutting-edge manufacturing techniques The Allen factory, based in Southminster, Essex in the UK, makes many of the deck hardware and fittings that we use in our sailing, be that on dinghies or keelboats.
Posted on 16 Oct
2025 Aloha Classic Grand Final day 2
The battle intensifies as the world's best close in on the crown Perfect trade-wind conditions returned to Ho'okipa today for Day 2 of the 2025 Aloha Classic Grand Final, delivering a full day of 5 Star competition as both the men's and women's draws charged toward Finals Day.
Posted on 16 Oct
Fireball World Champion interview
Yves Mermod and Maja Siegenthaler talk about their Olympic journey too After their close fought win at the Fireball Worlds in Garda we caught up with the Champions Yves Mermod and Maja Siegenthaler to find out a bit more about their Olympic journey and why and how they ended up competing for a Fireball Worlds in 2025.
Posted on 16 Oct
Sam Haynes eyes third Rolex Sydney Hobart win
The CYCA Commodore and defending champion will return for the race's 80th edition Sam Haynes, Commodore of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA) and defending Overall champion of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, will return for the race's 80th edition.
Posted on 16 Oct