Dennis Conner

Dennis Conner has recently completed his ninth America's Cup campaign, challenging for the 2003 America's Cup through the New York Yacht Club. He has won more than 100 America's Cup Trial races, with victories spanning 1974, 1980, 1987, and 1988. Conner's active involvement in planning, organizing, fund-raising, design, staffing, and public relations has established him as a central figure in the modern era of the America's Cup, unmatched in assembling successful campaigns.

While the America's Cup represents a significant part of his legacy, Conner's success extends across multiple sailing competitions. He has won world championships in a variety of boats ranging from 11-feet to 80-feet. Starting his representation of the United States in international events in 1963, he has been named United States Yachtsman of the Year four times and San Diego Yachtsman of the Year seven times. His victories include two Star World Championships, two Etchells World Championships, two Congressional Cups, and four Southern Ocean Racing Conference (SORC) wins. In 1977, he achieved a Star class record by securing five consecutive first-place finishes against 89 boats in Kiel, West Germany — a record that remains unmatched.

Conner's accolades also include a bronze medal for the United States in the Tempest class at the 1976 Olympic Games. His recent sailing achievements feature victories in classic yacht regattas with the restored 1925 "Q" class boat Cotton Blossom II and the 1910 Crowninshield Schooner "Fame". Additionally, he still competes at a high level, recently participating in the 6 meter World Championships in Vancouver, BC.

As an author, Conner has shared his insights into motivation, teamwork, and commitment to winning in several books, including "Learn to Sail", "No Excuse To Lose", "Comeback", "The Art of Winning", and "The Official Record of Stars & Stripes" series. His contributions to the literary world also include co-authoring "The America’s Cup: The History of Sailing’s Greatest Competition in the Twentieth Century", published in July 1998.

In 1987, Conner founded Dennis Conner Sports, Inc., leveraging his sailing expertise in business through product endorsements, sailing events, and sponsorships. During his tenure as Commodore of the San Diego Yacht Club, he initiated the successful Stars & Stripes Challenge in 1984 and played a key role in returning the America’s Cup to the United States in 1987.

Raised near the San Diego Yacht Club, which he joined at age 11, Conner spent over forty years as a member and served on its Board of Directors for nine years. He studied business at San Diego State University and currently resides with his wife Daintry in San Diego, California. Conner continues to share his experiences and strategies for success, offering audiences motivational insights and a compelling narrative of inspired performance.