Dennis Conner teams up with San Diego charter company
Conner with America\'s Cup
Introducing "Dennis Conner's America's Cup Experience
Famous America’s Cup skipper Dennis Conner throws his weight behind San Diego Charter Company.
SAN DIEGO, CA: 10/12/07 – The names “Dennis Conner” and “Stars & Stripes” are undoubtedly the most recognized names in world yacht racing. His name is not only synonymous with the legendary “America’s Cup” but is renowned around the world for his prowess in all forms of yacht racing. Winner of 28 World sailing championships, author of 9 books, public speaker, 4 time winner of the “America’s Cup” and 3 time US Yachtsman of the Year…there are few awards in sailing that have not been bestowed upon Dennis Conner.
While the sailing world and Dennis Conner’s fans understand that he has retired from entering the America’s Cup following his 2003 campaign, he is far from ‘retired’. His latest venture is a partnership with “Next Level Sailing” in San Diego to offer “America’s Cup” – style yachting experiences to everyone, from large corporate groups intent on team building and experiential reward to the average person on the street just out to see what it’s like to have that ‘once in a lifetime’ experience.
“It’s pretty amazing”….said Troy Sears, owner of Next Level Sailing. “Most people never get to see Dennis in person let alone spend any time with him. We’re very, very excited that Dennis came to us and asked to participate. His partnership opens up a whole new list of potential America’s Cup style sailing venues….immediately adding his current New York venue to the mix. Ultimately it heightens the perception of this experience for the guests. They go away with the bragging rights that they not only sailed on one of Dennis Conner’s famous yachts, but that they sailed with a great team that Dennis Conner is proud to put his name to.”
“Next Level Sailing” operates out of San Diego with their two ‘International America’s Cup Class’ 80 Ft race yachts….both originally purchased from Conner. These two vessels are the only two ‘IACC’ yachts in the country that can involve up to 20 guests each in head to head America’s Cup style match-racing competition. It is a corporate bonanza for team building, incentive reward and corporate entertaining. Partner ‘Troy Sears’ purchased these yachts in 2003 and has been steadily building business since then. Sears is often recognized for his part as the boss on MTV’s 2004 Real World series where the cast were employees in the day to day operation of his yacht charter business. “That show helped put us on the map”, says Sears. “It helped show a huge television audience that the average person with little or no sailing experience could have an opportunity to sail on one of these magnificent 80 Ft race yachts”. And not just any yacht…….but Dennis Conner’s 1995 “Stars & Stripes” on which he won the Citizen Cup challenger series prize.
Sears is also recognized as the brains behind bringing the historic 139 Ft schooner “America” to San Diego in early 2006. While the original schooner “America” perished in 1942 this 1995 $6 Million replica is truly worthy to carry the famous name after which the “America’s Cup” is known. Replica or not, Sears recently turned down a half-million dollar offer to take the yacht to Spain for the duration of the 2007 cup, such is her retained drawing power. She charters between San Diego and San Francisco and further North if required.
“It’s like two old friends getting back together”, says Conner. “I sold Troy these two yachts a few years ago, gave him some advice and wished him well. I’ve watched him grow the business and become very successful at it. He has a lot of vision as do I and it seems only natural that together we can pursue that vision better as a team than individually.” That vision has already created several very unique events only available in San Diego. No other location in America can offer two current generation America’s Cup yachts for head-to-head ‘match racing’…..the same one-on-one format that the America’s Cup is all about. “People get very excited when they see an 80 Ft yacht charging toward them….towering over them with 110 Ft masts and sliding by just yards away. The adrenalin is ‘kicked up a notch’ to say the least.”…says Sears who is on the water with guests at least 5 days a week. The addition of the larger 139 Ft yacht “America” also allows Sears to conduct the most unique sailing event in the world. With up to 120 guests spread between the 3 yachts the “America” acts as mother-ship, spectator yacht and transfer vessel while 3 sets of races are conducted by transferring participants in mid-bay on and off the larger to smaller yachts allowing all 120 to have that unique hands-on race experience. A celebration typically follows on the bigger yacht.
Look for the company name to change soon to “Dennis Conner’s America’s Cup Experience”
For more information phone 800 644-3454
www.americayacht.com www.nextlevelsailing.com
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