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Dennis Conner

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Athlete

The Resume

    (December 16, 1942- )
    America's Cup yacht racing legend
    AKA 'Mr America's Cup'
    Won The America's cup as crew (1972) and as helmsman (1980, 1987 and 1988)
    First American ever to lose the America's cup to a challenger (1983) since the New York Yacht Club's schooner 'America' won the trophy from Britain in 1851
    Olympic medalist in the tempest class (1976)
    Two-time Star class world champion
    Won numerous prestigious match racing (two boat races) and fleet racing (several boats) competitions
    Wrote the novel 'Comeback (1987)' about his 1987 cup campaign
    Could not raise the 50 to 75 million dollars to be competitive for the 2007 America's Cup

Why he might be annoying:

    He infuriated many Americans and the New York Yacht Club members when he lost the America's Cup in 1983.
    According to legend, the head of the skipper that lost the cup was supposed to replace the America's cup at the New York Yacht club but DC's head remained on his shoulders
    He resorts to petty protests under the sailing rules in order to disqualify opponents. For example, he protested Australia for not turning on their running lights at dusk in 1980 when Australia was in the lead.
    When threatened by Australia II (the 1983 victor), he alleged that the Australians violated the rules by using a non-Australian naval architect. He further complained that Australia II's winged keel's dimensions were incorrect when the boat was underway and heeled over (but not at the dock) but lost the protest.
    He wastes millions of dollars on a sport that few care about and only billionaires can afford.
    He heaps out blame on others for his 1983 loss to maintain his enormous ego.
    He blames ineptitude and complacency on the part of the NYYC for USA's 1983 loss.
    He admits that because of his obsession with the America's Cup, he was not a good husband or father (he is not divorced though).

Why he might not be annoying:

    He won back the America's cup for the Americans in 1987.
    He claims he has never made mistakes and it is hard to refute.
    He is versatile and able to win regattas in numerous different classes from small tempests to the multi-million dollar America's Cup boats.
    He combines knowledge of opponent's character in his overall strategy.
    He has won races by cleverly rattling other skippers into giving up small distances at crucial points.
    He is an extremely hard worker. He sailed 313 days per year before the 1987 cup challenge. He also managed the financial and design teams for his syndicate, hand-picked and trained his crew to make all the details perfect.
    He is not independently wealthy whereas all the other contenders in the 2003 America's cup were owned by billionaires.
    On the land, he is tactful and respectful to other people but he is combative on the water.
    He lost by a slim margin to Australia II (1983) but Australia II's design was regarded as faster so DC was lauded for his superior sailing ability.

Credit: Blue Blazers and Megabucks


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 4 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 9 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 2 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 6 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 4 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 12 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 14 Votes: 28.57% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 24 Votes: 62.50% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 8 Votes: 37.50% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 18 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 24 Votes: 70.83% Annoying
    In 2008, Out of 27 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2007, Out of 57 Votes: 71.93% Annoying
    In 2006, Out of 145 Votes: 71.03% Annoying
    In 2005, Out of 101 Votes: 70.30% Annoying