courageous – stephenlirakis.com

“COURAGEOUS” 50TH ANNIVERSRY, FIRST ALUMINUM 12 METER, LAST TWO TIME DEFENDER

This year marks the 50th anniversary of “Courageous” the first aluminum 12 meter and the last two time defender of the America’s Cup. She had a difficult birth as circumstances lento the first syndicate abandoning the cause. We kept building while Olin Stephens assembled a new syndicate.

The trials were so interesting, because “Intrepid” the other two time defender, in wood pushed “Courageous” to the wire. It was the story of the summer. The margins in the actual defense showed how very superior “Courageous” was.

https://youtu.be/Zr0kgiOrETY

MY LIFE IN BOATS

I assembled this a few years ago because even I forget some of the boats and events I sailed. Still fond memories; and still making more.

12 METER PRE-WORLDS 7 6 19

IT IS HARD TO NOT LIKE PHOTOGRAPHING 12 METERS. THEY ARE TRULY ELEGANT.

12 METER NEWPORT CUP 7 21 18

The final day of racing off Newport was a glorious day with very challenging conditions given the leftover swell.

40 YEARS AGO

This past weekend was the fortieth reunion of the “Courageous”/ “Independence” crews from 1977. It was genuinely nice to see people with whom I had shared so much. None of us are getting any younger, which puts particular emphasis on this event.

Ted Turner has been so good about re-uniting the teams.

OL PITTS, SISTER THERESE, HALSEY HERROSHOFF

GRACE UNDER SAIL

IN NEWPORT WE HAVE THE EXTRAORDINARY PRIVILEGE OF NARRAGANSETT BAY.

THIS PAST SUMMER HAS BEEN FULL A EXCITING EVENTS IF YOU LOVE BOATS; AND THE SEASON IS NOT DONE.

THE TWELVE METER CHAMPIONSHIPS ARE COMING UP SOON.

HISTORY 40 YEARS AGO & 50 YEARS AGO

2017 marks the 50th anniversary of the launching and first successful defense by the 12 meter “Intrepid”. It also marks the second successful defense by the 12 meter “Courageous”. Each boat successfully defended the America’s Cup twice. Only one other boat can lay claim to that fact. That was “Columbia” 1899 & 1901. She is no longer with us.

COURAGEOUS SUMMER OF 1977

The film produced by NBC sports is well done and a perspective I had not previously considered.

AMERICA’S CUP SUMMER 1977

FORTY YEARS AGO/ FIFTY YEARS AGO

Forty years ago about this date we towed to Newport for the start of the selection trials to defend the America’s Cup.

We had had a small regatta in Marblehead over the Memorial day weekend in which “Courageous” was faster on every point of sail. Reggie Pierce looked up from the grinder handles and quipped: “It’s going to be a long summer”. Those words proved to be prophetic.

“Independence” was supposed to be the anointed defender. The rest is history.

“Intrepid” will celebrate 50 years.