Dennis Conner’s Stars & Stripes America’s Cup Comeback Story on ESPN Classic

Watch on ESPN Classic Saturday, February 4th, 2012

ASA co-founder Peter Isler was the navigator aboard Stars & Stripes when it famously won back the America’s Cup in 1987. This Saturday you’ll have the chance to relive that victory, or see it for the first time. Here’s the press release from North Sails with the details:

North Sails is proud to present Stars & Stripes 25th Anniversary America’s Cup Special which will air on ESPN Classic this Saturday, February 4th at 2am, 12pm & 7pm ET. Featuring new interview footage with Dennis Conner, Tom Whidden, Jon Wright, and Malin Burnham, you will relive an amazing comeback story in this one-hour special.

American skipper Dennis Conner famously lost the America’s Cup in 1983 in the waters off Newport, RI. The New York Yacht Club had held the Cup for 132 years but Conner and his crew aboard Liberty faced a technologically superior boat named Australia II, that featured an innovative winged keel. In a best of seven race series it came down to one final race. Liberty led for most of the race, but lost near the end in a heartbreaking defeat.

Six months later, Conner mounted a comeback. But first, he had to defeat 12 other teams to earn the right to be the challenger. After a grueling elimination series, Conner prevailed and faced the Australians in the 1987 America’s Cup in Fremantle, Australia. Conner won in four straight, and became a national hero. ESPN covered the races live. This program relives this amazing comeback story. Dennis Conner talks about his experience on the 25th year Anniversary of his victory with Stars & Stripes.

The program is sponsored by North Sails and Rolex. It is hosted by Gary Jobson and Jim Kelly. Airs on ESPN Classic:
February 4 at 2:00am et (11:00pm pt February 3)
February 4 at 12:00pm et (noon) (9:00am pt)
February 4 at 7:00pm et (4:00pm pt)

The text of this article has been provided by North Sails.