Columbia - US 16New York Yacht Club, USA, Edition 20(1967)
New York Yacht Club, USA, Edition 19(1964)
New York Yacht Club, USA, Edition 18(1962)
New York Yacht Club, USA, Edition 17(1958)
Designer : Olin J. Stephens
Builder : Henry B. nevins
- 1958 America's Cup - the 17th Match…beat Sceptre / Hugh Goodson Syndicate (K 17)
- 1962 a contender throughout the 1962 America's Cup defence trial series.
- 1964 a contender throughout the 1964 America's Cup defence trial series.
- 1967 a contender and finalist throughout the America's Cup defence. Defeated by Intrepid.
- 1974 a trial horse for the defender candidate for the 1974 America's Cup, Intrepid.
- 1976 a trial horse for Sverige, the Swedish challenge candidate for the 1977 America's Cup |
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"I feel Columbia was the better boat of the two. But I think the difference was magnified by the amount of competition we got from the other boats in the defender trials; Columbia's performance would not have been anything like as outstanding if we had not had to beat those other boats."
These were the humble words that Olin Stephens, the designer of Columbia, used to explain the lightning victory of his yacht over the British challenger Sceptre.
On the American side, the advent of the 12-Metre boats in the America's Cup in 1958 was welcomed by three new yachts: Columbia, Weatherly and Easterner joined by the 'old' Vim (a 1939 Stephens' design). In other words the races for the Defender selection were merciless. In the finals, Columbia, which was "an improved Vim," according to Stephens, eventually met the original Vim face to face. It was only in the ultimate race that the 'youngster' was able to put down the 'veteran' - and then by just 12-seconds!
Columbia enjoyed an exceptional crew: Briggs Cunningham, Olin and Rod Stephens, Henry Sears, Colin Ratsey and Halsey Herreshoff. In the 17th America's Cup Match, Sceptre lost without putting up much of a fight, overwhelmed by the complete package of Columbia and her star crew.
The story of Columbia continued in 1962. Paul and Cornelius Shield re-fit her and made her ready for another go at defending the Cup, but this time it was Weatherly (a 1958 Phil Rhodes design) which won the right to fend off the assault of the Australian challenger Gretel.
Two years later, Thomas Dougan acquired Columbia and again the Stephens' design was involved in the American Defender selections. This time it was Constellation (1964 Stephens' design) to emerge as the Defender.
But the most surprising remained to come. In 1967, Columbia again found herself in the service of the defenders. Magnificently skippered by Bill Ficker, Columbia exceeded all expectations and found herself in the final to decide the Defender. There, she was put down by Intrepid, another creation from Olin Stephens.
In 1974, Columbia was sailed as a trial horse for Intrepid, and then in 1976, for Sverige. She then moved to the Mediterranean Sea, under French ownership. In 1997, she went back to the United States where she was restored in her original configuration. The yacht sailed in 2001 in Cowes for the celebrations of the 150th America's Cup Jubilee. Columbia still sails today as a charter yacht from her home port, Newport ...
1958 America's Cup - the 17th Match...beat Sceptre / Hugh Goodson Syndicate (K 17)
1962 a contender throughout the 1962 America's Cup defence trial series.
1964 a contender throughout the 1964 America's Cup defence trial series.
1967 a contender and finalist throughout the America's Cup defence. Defeated by Intrepid.
1974 a trial horse for the defender candidate for the 1974 America's Cup, Intrepid.
1976 a trial horse for Sverige, the Swedish challenge candidate for the 1977 America's Cup
JT / pr
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Year of building
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1958 |
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Launched
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3/6/1958 |
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Edition 20(1967)
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Crew
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11 |
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Hull
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Wood |
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Mast
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Aluminium |
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L.O.A
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21.21 |
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L.W.L
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13.95 |
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Mast
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Beam
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3.59 |
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Boom
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Sail Area
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171.5 |
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Displacament
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26.2 |
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Draft
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Rating
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12 Meter |
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Ballast
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