American Eagle, Ocean Racer

Commemorative Patch

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In 1968, Robert E. “Tedd” Turner purchased American Eagle for $70,000 ($518,557.18 in 2020) and installed an engine in her with a mission. He would re-purpose the failed 1964 America’s Cup 12-Metre as a masterful Ocean Racer.

From the get-go, Turner turned heads with his mastery of the boat. After winning the 1969 Annapolis-Newport Race, he entered the red bird into the Transatlantic Race from Newport to Ireland. He started the following year when he won his second S.O.R.C. (Southern Ocean Racing Conference) with American Eagle. In 1971, he broke the record for the 605-mile Fastnet Rock Race, the final race of the Admiral Cup, in 3 days, 7 hours, and 2 minutes, 2 hours faster than the previous record holder. Finally, in 1972, Turner triumphed over the Canadian Yacht, Graveyard, in the 630-mile Sydney-Hobart Race

American Eagle may have returned to roost in the States, but we’ll never forget her worldwide flights and the exceptional skill of her skipper.