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Stars & Stripes 87

Stars & Stripes '87 (also known as US 55) is a 12-meter class racing yacht built in 1986 by the Sail America Foundation for the purpose of challenging for the . Designed by naval architects Britton Chance Jr., Bruce Nelson, and David Pedrick, it represented the culmination of iterative advancements in 12-meter yacht design by the American team. Skippered by on behalf of the Yacht Club, the vessel reclaimed the in from the Royal Yacht Club of by defeating the defender Kookaburra III in a best-of-seven series with a 4–0 sweep. The development of Stars & Stripes '87 followed the American syndicate's loss of the Cup to in 1983, prompting a comprehensive rebuilding effort under the Sail America Foundation. As the fifth boat in the foundation's stable, it incorporated innovative features such as advanced hull shaping for improved upwind performance, offering approximately 0.3 knots more speed than the 1983 challenger Liberty. The yacht was constructed with a focus on durability and speed, including the application of riblet film technology on the hull to reduce drag, a collaboration involving research. These enhancements were tested rigorously during pre-regatta trials in the United States before shipping to , , for the international competition. In the 1987 Louis Vuitton Cup challenger series, Stars & Stripes '87 competed against 12 other syndicates from six nations, ultimately prevailing in the final against New Zealand's KZ 7 with a 4–1 victory to earn the right to challenge for the . The series highlighted Conner's tactical expertise and the boat's superior handling in varied wind conditions off . Following this success, the yacht entered the Cup match against Kookaburra III, where its design advantages proved decisive: in the four-race series, Stars & Stripes '87 secured wins by margins of 1:41, 1:10, 1:46, and 1:59, respectively, bringing the trophy back to the for the first time since 1983. The victory was broadcast live on , elevating the event's profile and cementing Conner's status as a icon. After the 1987 regatta, Stars & Stripes '87 participated in exhibition races and public sails before being based in St. Maarten for two decades, where it offered tourist charters. Severely damaged by in 2017—sinking after its mast snapped—the yacht was salvaged and acquired in June 2025 by the New York Harbor Sailing Foundation. As of November 2025, led by the Manhattan Yacht Club, it is based in , with a fundraising campaign underway aiming to raise $1 million to commence restoration and return it to racing condition to preserve its legacy in American sailing history.

Design and Construction

Design Team and Innovations

The design of Stars & Stripes 87 (US-55), a 12-meter compliant with the International Twelve Metre Rule, was led by a collaborative team of prominent naval architects under the coordination of for the Sail America Foundation. Britton Chance Jr. contributed significantly to hull shaping, drawing on his expertise in developing innovative yacht forms to create a radical, curved "banana boat" hull optimized for straight-line speed in expected conditions. Bruce Nelson focused on the , integrating high-performance and sail configurations to enhance upwind efficiency. David Pedrick handled overall optimization, including design and integration of computational models to balance stability and velocity across wind ranges. Construction occurred at Derecktor Shipyards in , in 1986, utilizing an aluminum hull with a longitudinal framing system rather than traditional transverse framing. This approach enhanced structural stiffness and strength while minimizing weight, allowing for a heavier displacement better suited to heavy-air performance without exceeding class limits. The yard's pioneering use of aluminum in construction facilitated precise fabrication of the complex hull shape. Key innovations included a bulbous lead keel with wings extending from the aft third, providing improved righting moment and in winds exceeding 16 knots, conditions prevalent in over 60% of historical races. The snub-nose bow design pierced waves more effectively, reducing pitching in choppy seas and contributing to the yacht's heavy-air prowess. Additionally, the hull was coated with riblet film—microscopic V-shaped grooves inspired by skin and aerodynamics research—which reduced by up to 8%. Design optimization targeted performance in 10-12 knot winds for versatility, with extensive tank testing at facilities like the and computer simulations via velocity prediction programs (VPP) evaluating hundreds of configurations for hydrodynamic efficiency.

Hull Development and Keel Design

The Sail America Foundation's hull development for the challenger involved an iterative process spanning several years, resulting in multiple prototypes that refined the overall design for optimal performance under the 12-Meter rule. The program featured trial hulls US-53 and US-54, both launched in 1985, culminating in the final US-55 launched in 1986, each building on testing and on-water evaluations to balance speed, stability, and handling. This progression represented the third collaborative design effort by naval architects Britton Chance Jr., Bruce Nelson, and David Pedrick, who incorporated evolutionary changes in hull form to address limitations observed in earlier versions. Key refinements focused on width for improved righting moment, reduced freeboard to minimize , and a modified shape to enhance wave-piercing efficiency and reduce drag in varying sea states. The US-55 , constructed by Robert E. Derektor Shipyards in , embodied these advancements, featuring a wider relative to predecessors for better in heavy air and a sleeker transom to optimize downwind performance without excessive wetted surface. These modifications contributed to the boat's competitive edge, allowing it to achieve up to 0.3 knots more upwind speed than the 1983 . The keel system underwent significant evolution to address early performance shortcomings, starting with a wing keel configuration on the US-53 prototype that provided hydrodynamic lift but proved prone to structural vulnerabilities under load. During the Cup challenger series in in December 1986, this design encountered issues when the boat hit the dock, damaging the wings, which were then cut off and replaced with a new configuration tested in a simulator. For the US-55, the was reconfigured to a conventional ous with fixed wings extending from the section, shifting from the initial broad-wing setup to a more streamlined profile that enhanced the by distributing lower. David Pedrick played a key role in this refinement, optimizing the wing angles and shape through computational modeling to balance and maneuverability. The final incorporated approximately 9 tons of lead in the for , ensuring superior pointing ability without compromising speed. This redesign proved pivotal, transforming early handling deficiencies into strengths during the regatta.

Preparation and Selection

Sea Trials

The sea trials for Stars & Stripes '87 commenced in 1986, primarily in Harbor and the Channel off , where the yacht underwent intensive on-water testing to evaluate its hull and under race-like conditions. These early sessions focused on speed trials across upwind and downwind legs in varying wind speeds, allowing the design team to refine the boat's handling before shipping it to , , in October 1986. Upon arrival, initial sessions in late 1986 off provided the first real-world exposure to the conditions, including the strong "" winds, and helped identify adjustments needed for the local environment. Performance metrics from these trials highlighted Stars & Stripes '87's strengths in heavy air, where it excelled in winds of 16 or more, achieving competitive speeds on both upwind and downwind legs that outpaced predecessors like by approximately 0.3 upwind and 4-5 minutes over a full 24.2-nautical-mile race course. In lighter winds of 10-12 , the remained viable but showed less dominance, prompting tweaks to optimize tacking and . Comparative testing against earlier variants, such as Stars & Stripes '85 and '86, revealed a 1-2 edge in key heavy-air conditions, underscoring the iterative improvements in shape and appendages. These results were pivotal in establishing the 's suitability for Fremantle's prevailing breezes, which averaged 15-20 during much of the campaign. Challenges during the trials included issues with wing keel configurations on earlier hulls, which suffered structural weaknesses and required multiple redesigns to prevent failures under load. A notable incident occurred in December 1986, when the original winglets on Stars & Stripes '87 struck the dock during post-round maneuvers in , necessitating their swift removal and replacement with thinner, angled tiplets within 90 minutes to maintain trial momentum. These setbacks, combined with the yacht's initial sluggishness in tacking, led to extensive modifications informed by tank simulations and on-water data. By January 1987, pre-Louis Vuitton Cup tuning sessions in refined these elements, boosting overall performance and confidence ahead of the challenger series.

Yacht and Crew Selection

The Sail America Foundation's selection process for the yacht involved rigorous comparative trials among multiple 12-meter s developed for the 1987 challenge, including the Stars & Stripes '87 (US-55) and '86 (US-56). These trials, conducted in and later in , evaluated performance in varied wind and sea conditions, ultimately designating the '87 as the primary boat for the due to its speed advantages upwind and overall . The '86 was maintained as a backup for the matches, providing flexibility in case of damage or performance issues during the challenger series. The crew was led by skipper Dennis Conner and comprised 11 members chosen for their sailing expertise, physical capabilities, and ability to function as a cohesive under intense pressure. Key roles included tactician Tom Whidden, who directed strategic decisions; grinder Kyle Smith, at 6 feet 5 inches and 240 pounds, tasked with powering the primary winches; and bowman , 5 feet 8 inches and 165 pounds, responsible for forward sail adjustments and quick maneuvers. Assignments emphasized and strength—larger, stronger sailors handled grinding and trimming duties requiring raw power, while lighter, more agile members managed the bow and pit positions for precision and speed. Training emphasized physical fitness, technical proficiency, and team dynamics, with the crew undergoing 1.5 years of intensive preparation in , including simulations in 30- to 35-knot winds to mimic Fremantle conditions. This regimen, overseen by the Sail America Foundation, incorporated weight training, endurance drills, and role-specific drills for sail changes and winch operations to ensure seamless execution during races. The core team was finalized by mid-1986, allowing time for integration before departure to , with subsequent adjustments made after initial sea trials to refine roles and address equipment integration.

Louis Vuitton Cup Campaign

Round-Robin Stage and Semifinals

The round-robin stage of the 1987 Louis Vuitton Cup featured three series of fleet races among the challengers off , , from October to December 1986, culminating in a points-based qualification for the knockout rounds. Stars & Stripes demonstrated exceptional consistency, accumulating 31 wins out of 38 races across the series, which positioned the yacht at the top of the challenger standings and advanced it directly to the semifinals. Notable victories included defeats of the French challenger (FRA 84) and the British entry White Crusader (GBR 64), highlighting the yacht's versatility in varied wind conditions typical of the venue. The semifinals, a best-of-seven series, pitted Stars & Stripes against the American yacht (US-42), skippered by Blackaller, beginning in late December 1986 and concluding on January 2, 1987. Stars & Stripes secured a decisive 4-0 victory, with the series marked by strong tactical execution in breezes ranging from 10 to 18 knots. The opening race was tightly contested, ending with a 10-second margin for Stars & Stripes, but subsequent legs emphasized their dominant starts and superior upwind speed, often pulling away by over a minute. Throughout these stages, the crew adapted effectively to the challenging conditions, including re-ballasting the for heavier winds above 17 knots and refining sail-handling techniques honed during pre-event in . Occasional weather delays affected scheduling, but Stars & Stripes capitalized on opportunities in the prevailing southwesterlies, underscoring optimizations tuned for mid-range wind speeds.

Finals Against

The Louis Vuitton Cup finals in 1987 pitted Stars & Stripes '87 (US-55), skippered by , against New Zealand's Kiwi Magic (KZ-7), helmed by Chris Dickson, in a best-of-seven series held in late January off , . Kiwi Magic entered as the favorite, having won 37 consecutive races in the challenger trials and demonstrating superior speed in both light and heavy winds during preliminary rounds. However, Stars & Stripes capitalized on its semifinal momentum, where it had swept the American yacht USA 4-0, to claim the series 4-1 and secure the right to challenge for the . The series began on January 13 with Race 1, sailed in light and variable winds that highlighted 's challenges as a larger, heavier "big-boat" design, which struggled with maneuverability compared to the more agile . won by 1:20, gaining an early lead through superior tactical execution at the start line and efficient mark roundings, where Conner's crew minimized distance losses. Race 2 followed on January 14, another victory for the Americans by 1:36 in similar shifty conditions, further exposing New Zealand's difficulties in light air below 10 knots. responded in Race 3 on January 16, winning by 1:02 after a strong downwind leg, but rebounded in Race 4 (January 17) with a 3:38 margin and sealed the series in Race 5 on January 19, triumphing by 1:29 through consistent upwind pointing and wind-shift plays. Stars & Stripes' success showcased its design innovations in action, particularly the adjustable wing keel, which allowed fine-tuning for the ' variable winds of 8-15 knots, optimizing and reducing during tacks. The crew's precise execution of pre-start maneuvers, including aggressive and dial-downs, consistently secured inside positions at the line, preventing Kiwi Magic from leveraging its straight-line speed. These elements, combined with hull modifications like a grooved to cut , provided the tactical edges needed in the close-quarters racing typical of 12-Meter yachts. The series concluded on January 19, 1987, designating Stars & Stripes '87 as the official U.S. challenger for the matches beginning January 31.

America's Cup Matches

Challenger-Defender Series

The 1987 America's Cup defender series between the American challenger and the Australian defender III followed the traditional best-of-seven format, with the first yacht to secure four wins claiming the . The matches were held in Gage Roads off , , from January 31 to February 4, 1987. This southern summer venue drew massive public interest, with spectator setups including onshore viewing areas and chase boats accommodating over 100,000 attendees for the opening race, creating an electric atmosphere along the waterfront. Stars & Stripes 87, having qualified by winning the Louis Vuitton Cup, emphasized aggressive tactics in heavy-air conditions, leveraging superior starting prowess to gain early leads and capitalizing on downwind speed for leg advantages. In contrast, III relied on its innovative , which provided hydrodynamic benefits in lighter winds by reducing drag and improving stability. These contrasting strengths shaped the overall series approach, with each team aiming to force conditions favoring their design. Environmental challenges in Gage Roads, known for its choppy and frequent wind shifts, added unpredictability to the competition, often leading to additional lay days when winds exceeded safe limits or died too low for fair racing. The variable conditions tested crew adaptability, as sudden gusts and tidal currents could alter course strategies mid-race, underscoring the tactical depth required in this high-stakes matchup.

Race Outcomes and Tactics

The 1987 America's Cup defender series between Stars & Stripes (US-55), skippered by for the Yacht Club, and Kookaburra III (KA-15), skippered by Iain Murray for the Royal Perth Yacht Club, consisted of four races sailed in Gage Roads off , . Stars & Stripes achieved a decisive 4-0 sweep, reclaiming the Cup for the after its loss in 1983. The series showcased Conner's tactical acumen and the yacht's superior speed, particularly upwind, in variable southerly winds ranging from 8 to 19 knots. In Race 1 on January 31, Stars & Stripes secured a 1 minute 41 second victory over the 24-nautical-mile . Conner executed a split-tack start, positioning his to exploit a favorable 20-degree shift to the right, which forced Kookaburra III to tack into the American boat's dirty air and behind it, avoiding congestion from the spectator fleet near the 's right side. This early maneuver established a lead of 1:14 at the first windward mark, which Stars & Stripes extended through precise boat handling on reaches and runs, demonstrating the yacht's edge in ability. Race 2, sailed on February 1 in building breezes and heavy swells, resulted in a 1 minute 10 second win for Stars & Stripes, the closest margin of the series. From the start, Conner maintained control with superior upwind pace, using the crew's coordinated weight shifts to punch through waves more effectively than , which struggled with its wing keel in the chop. On the final beat, Stars & Stripes employed a loose cover to protect the lead while seeking pressure lines, preventing any comeback attempts by the defender despite Murray's aggressive tacks. This race highlighted the American team's preparation in wave management, a critical factor in the variable conditions. The third race on February 2 saw Stars & Stripes prevail by 1 minute 46 seconds, extending the lead to 3-0 amid heightened tension, including a pre-race that disrupted preparations but did not affect Conner's focus. After an even start, Conner opted for a tactical disengagement on the second beat, heading right to capitalize on emerging whitecaps indicating stronger breeze, while III remained in lighter air on the left. This bold shift allowed Stars & Stripes to round the second windward mark with a 51-second advantage, which grew on the downwind legs through efficient sail trim by the crew, including tactician Tom Whidden's input on breeze reads. The victory underscored Conner's willingness to break from direct confrontation to leverage environmental advantages. Following a lay day on February 3 requested by Stars & Stripes for rest and tuning, Race 4 on February 4 clinched the Cup with a 1 minute 59 second triumph, completing the sweep. Conner navigated a pre-start trap set by Kookaburra III helmsman Peter Gilmour, accelerating cleanly to claim a 5-second edge at the line and the right side of the course for better pressure. Stars & Stripes dominated the windward legs, particularly the sixth, where its upwind speed in freshening 19-knot winds pulled away to a 1:11 lead at that mark; Kookaburra III's attempts to engage in tacking duels faltered due to slower acceleration and minor errors in gybe timing on reaches, allowing to maintain a protective cover without overcommitting. Crew execution, from mainsheet trimmer Mike Toppa to bowman to ensure clear maneuvers, was pivotal in converting boat speed into positional dominance. With this result, the returned to the on February 4, 1987, reclaiming it after the 1983 loss to .

Legacy and Preservation

Historical Significance

Stars & Stripes 87 holds a pivotal place in history as the last 12-meter yacht to secure victory, reclaiming the trophy for the in 1987 after the shocking 1983 defeat to . Skippered by , the yacht's success ended a four-year American drought and restored the Cup to the , symbolizing national resilience in . The yacht's design innovations, particularly its bulb-wing keel configuration, marked a significant evolution in hydrodynamic efficiency, achieving upwind speed gains of approximately 0.3 knots over predecessors like . These features, developed by naval architects Britton Chance Jr., Bruce Nelson, and David Pedrick, influenced subsequent classes by accelerating the trend toward extreme appendages and optimized stability, directly paving the way for the (IACC) yachts debuted in 1992. This shift emphasized radical design experimentation, moving beyond the constraints of the 12-meter rule that had governed the event since 1958. Culturally, the 1987 regatta in , , emerged as one of the largest sailing spectacles ever, drawing over 100,000 spectators per race day and a massive global television audience through innovative onboard broadcasting. Conner's narrative as the "Comeback Kid"—the first skipper to lose and then regain the Cup—captivated the public, significantly elevating 's popularity in the United States and inspiring broader interest in the sport. As the finale of the 12-meter era, Stars & Stripes 87's triumph underscored the America's Cup's transition to faster, more technologically driven competitions starting in 1992.

Post-Racing History and Restoration

Following its victory in the , Stars & Stripes 87 was transported back to the and later relocated to St. Maarten, where it served for over two decades in team-building activities and mock races alongside other 12 Meter yachts. In September 2017, the yacht sustained extensive damage during while moored in St. Maarten, including severe hull cracks, a mast snapped three feet above the deck, and complete submersion as it sank alongside four other 12 Meter vessels. The vessel was offered for sale in early 2021, when it was acquired by the , a 501(c)(3) dedicated to preserving heritage, which already owned two other 12 Meter yachts from the 1987 Challenger series. In June 2021, Stars & Stripes 87 was shipped from St. Maarten to the and placed in storage at Safe Harbor New England Boatworks in , near , for assessment and initial preparation. Restoration efforts, coordinated by the New York Harbor Sailing Foundation in partnership with the Yacht Club's dedicated restoration committee, began in earnest following the 2021 acquisition, with a focus on returning the yacht to its original configuration for historical fidelity. The project is structured in phases, starting with repairs, replacement, new and , and refurbishment, with the total estimated at $1,000,000 and the first phase (transportation and assessment) costing $120,000 as of late 2021. Funding has been raised through grassroots donations, corporate sponsorships from entities like , the American Sailing Association, and the Gowrie Group, and contributions from yacht clubs and individuals, including over $120,000 secured by late 2021 for transportation and early planning. As of November 2025, restoration remains ongoing at the facility, with the Manhattan Yacht Club leading a nationwide $1 million fundraising campaign to support comprehensive repairs and the collection of artifacts for onboard display. The long-term vision positions the restored Stars & Stripes 87 as a floating and educational academy, offering charters and visits to up to five clubs annually to inspire new generations of sailors and educate on the 1987 Cup's legacy, with a permanent berth planned in .

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