When Dennis Conner won back the America’s Cup off Fremantle, Australia back in 1987, he got the cover of Sports Illustrated and a visit to the White House to grip and grin the Auld Mug with Ronald Reagan.
My, how times have changed.
After leading the greatest comeback in America’s Cup history—or sport, if you’re so inclined—Oracle Team USA skipper Jimmy Spithill, found himself with a crack-of-dawn on air with the Today Show’s Matt Lauer, and then crosscountry jaunt to New York City and the Late Night with Jay Leno for champagne “spit take.” Then it was on the air with Howard Stern, and even some face time with yuckety Al Roker at the Weather Channel.
Everyone wants to hear from Jimmy these days, and the top question as he makes is way around the country on the America’s victory tour, is “What did you do to the boat to make it so fast?”
The answer is, of course, is “lots of little changes, but it was more about the guys and the will to win.”
Well, if that answer doesn’t satisfy your curiosity about how Oracle Team USA faced elimination and then won eight straight races to win the America’s Cup you’ll have the chance to ask him at the U.S. Sailboat Show in Annapolis, Md., on October 11, where Spithill will make a special public appearance courtesy of Penfolds Wine, the official wine of Oracle Team USA.
At 2 p.m. at the Marriott Waterfront Ballroom (second floor), Spithill will join NBC Sports commentator and Cruising World Editor At Large Gary Jobson at the Cruising World/Sailing World Seminar Series Presented by B&G. Limited seating is available on a first come, first-served basis. Entrance to the boat show is required.
