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1964
Constitution is the second winning defender designed by Olin J. Stephens. He conceived its lines in 1958 after observing Columbia. Constitution is fitted with a bendy boom and mast and a series of strain gauges to control sail trim. Streamlined stays and shrouds are also fitted and linked to coffee grinders. Weight saving is paramount, with aviation honeycomb structures to sail stowage in Dacron bags.
On June 6 and 7, Constellation US 20 is beaten by American Eagle US 21 (1964) in the Annual Regatta at Long Island.
From June 8 to 14, the preliminary defender selection trials are sailed off Newport. American Eagle dominates, beating Connie, Columbia US 16 and Nefertiti US 19.
Later that month, observation defender selection trials are sailed off Newport. Constellation improves its score by beating the 'old' 12-metres, including Easterner US 18, but is still beaten by American Eagle.
During the New York Yacht Club Annual Cruise in July and August Eric Ridder hands over the helm of Constellation to Bob Bavier, assisted by Rod Stephens. Connie becomes another boat, winning five of the next 11 races.
From August 17 to 20, the final defender selection trials are sailed off Newport. Easterner opts not to race. Connie defeats each of the contenders, including American Eagle.
Four final races are sailed between August 21 and September 2. Constellation wins three against American Eagle and is finally selected as the defender of the 1964 America's Cup.
The America's Cup
September 15 to 21, 1964, off Newport, Rhode Island, United States.
Sovereign competes against Constellation in the best of seven series
America's Cup course
Olympic course - total distance: 24.3 nautical miles
Start: Buoy anchored nine miles, 143° true towards the Brenton Reef Light Tower.
First leg: directly into the wind (windward leg).
Second and third legs: reaching across the wind
Fourth leg: to windward
Fifth leg: running downwind
Sixth and final leg: upwind to the finish.
Results
- September 15, first race. Wind at start: W by S, 8 knots. Constellation beats Sovereign by five minutes and 34 seconds.
- September 17, second race. Wind at start: SSW, 15-17 knots. Constellation beats Sovereign by 20 minutess and 24 seconds.
- September 19, third race. Wind at start: E ½ N, 15-17 knots. Constellation beats Sovereign by six minutes and 33 seconds.
- September 21, fourth race. Wind at start: E by N, 8 knots. Constellation beats Sovereign by 15 minutes and 40 seconds.
Constellation beats Sovereign four races to nil
1966 to 1978
Pierre E. Goemans owns Constellation, under French baron Marcel Bich and the "Association Française pour la Coupe de l'America" (AFCA) banner. Its homeport is Monte-Carlo, Monaco.
1967
Constellation is chartered to the American McCullough Syndicate, primarily to sail as a trial horse for the defence candidate Intrepid US 22 and secondly to race the selection trials for the defence of the 1967 America's Cup.
1970
Connie is the French America's Cup challenger candidate France F I, for Baron Bich.
1971
Constellation is altered by Paul Elvströme on behalf of Baron Bich.
1974
Constellation acts as trial horse for France I.
1979
The AFCA own the boat.
1980
Constellation is sold to Security Change Ltd., in Hamble, Great Britain. The same year, the British Industry 1500 Syndicate headed by J. Anthony J. Boyden owns it. Its homeport becomes London. It sails as a trial horse for the British challenger Lionheart K 18, for the 1980 America's Cup.
1981
Constellation is sold as a charter vessel, but later sinks when under tow off Turkey.
Constellation, nicknamed "Connie"
1964
Sail number: US 20
International 12-metre sloop
United States
Yacht club: New York Yacht Club, New York
Victorious defender of the1964 America's Cup
Owner: The Constellation syndicate headed by Walter S. Gubelmann with John Anderson, II, John Astor, George F. Baker, Jr., C. Hascall Bliss, George T. Bowdoin, Cummins Catherwood, Briggs S. Cunningham, John T. Dorrance, Jr., D.C. Ellwood, Roger S. Firestone, Avard E. Fuller, Stanley C. Hope, George F. Johnson, Francis L. Kellogg, David O'D. Kennedy, George F. Monell, James J. O'Neill, Charles S. Payson, Thor Ramsing, Eric Ridder, Joseph E. Ridder, William Rudkin, Rudolph J. Schaefer, Judson B. Shafer, Chauncy Stillman, Dudley F. Underhill, Archbold Van Beuren, Harold S. Vanderbilt, Gilbert Verney, Francis D. Wetherill.
Designer: Olin J. Stephens, Sparkman & Stephens
Builder: Minneford's Yacht Yard, City Island, New York, United States
Sailmakers: Hard and Hood sails
Year of building: 1963 to1964
Launched: 1964
Home port: Oyster Bay, New York
Skipper: Eric Ridder then Robert "Bob" N. Bavier, Jr.
Afterguard: Roderick Stephens, navigator
Crew: 11
Data
Construction
Construction: Wood
Frames: Oak
Double planking with Mahogany
Boom: Titanium
Mast: Aluminum with Titanium tip
Winch drums: Titanium
Dimensions
Length overall (LOA): 20.77m
Length waterline (LWL): 14.16m
Beam: 3.72m
Draft: 2.76m
Sail area: 163.62m2
Displacement: 27,200 tonnes
Mast: 25m
J.T./nc
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Year of building
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1964 |
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Launched
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1964 |
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Edition 19(1964)
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Crew
|
|
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Hull
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Wood |
|
Mast
|
Aluminium |
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L.O.A
|
20.77 |
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L.W.L
|
14.16 |
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Mast
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25 |
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Beam
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3.72 |
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Boom
|
|
|
Sail Area
|
|
|
Displacament
|
27.2 |
|
Draft
|
2.76 |
|
Rating
|
12 Meter |
|
Ballast
|
|
|
)
