The color photos are courtesy of Dick Enersen, crew of “Constellation” in 1964. Each photo is a story in itself. Dick looking very young indeed under the Connie shed sign. The final photo of Eric Ritter the helmsman, who stepped aside in the interest of the boat, greeting Harry Morgan, head of the selection committee bringing the good news that “Constellation” has been selected to defend.
The black and white photo I believe was taken on a day when most of the other 12 meters lost their masts.
I would like to hear from more of the crews out there. Thankyou Dick.
Steve, Happy to pass on some shots. For the record, it's EnersEn, not On. Keeps me from being Swedish. In fact, mere moments after that shot was taken, our mast broke in half. A titanium clevis broke at the bottom of the port V2, so it failed at the 2nd spreader & was held up by internal halyards & the main bolt rope. Quite a mess. It was on a leg of the NYYC cruise, supposed to go from Edgartown to Block. We towed to Newport & were ready for the next set of trials. Our spare mast was all aluminum, and the titanium tipped spar never saw action again that summer.
We were the only breakdown in that race, as I recall.
In any event it is a great shot by which to remember our shipmate, Rod Stephens.