John Gerald Driscoll III
Encyclopedia
John Gerald “Gerry” Driscoll III (1924 - March 12, 2011) was an international yachting
champion and businessman from San Diego, California
. He competed in the defense portion of four America’s Cup races (1964, 1967, 1970, and 1974), and was part of the organizational effort for two others. His innovative year-round training regimen for the 1974 race permanently changed the way teams prepare for the America’s Cup. As a competitor, organizer, ambassador and businessman, he is credited with helping to put San Diego on the sailing map internationally, and as one of the first San Diegans to compete in the America’s Cup races, he raised the profile of the America’s Cup on the West Coast
.
, founder of the system of California missions
.
A longtime San Diego resident, he had seven children. He died in his La Jolla home on March 12, 2011.
. In 1970 he served as tactician on the defense candidate Valiant.
It was in 1974 that he “changed forever how the (America’s Cup) event was sailed.” At that time the standard America’s Cup calendar was that the boats were built the winter before the event, and crew training began four or five months before the actual races. But Driscoll trained and drilled his crew throughout the winter in the calm waters off San Diego, while his rivals were all in dry dock. His boat Intrepid
came close to winning the defender competition that year, but lost to Courageous
in the final race due to a broken backstay. His year-round training program became the standard for future America’s Cup efforts.
He was also the general manager for the challenger Eagle in the 1986-87 race, and helped the San Diego Yacht Club
organize the 1992 races.
and Mission Bay, as well as yacht brokerages and Driscoll’s Wharf and Marina.
. He also founded the San Diego Yachting Cup, one of San Diego’s top annual sailing events.
He was named San Diego Yachtsman of the Year in 1966 and 1974.
Yachting
Yachting refers to recreational sailing or boating, the specific act of sailing or using other water vessels for sporting purposes.-Competitive sailing:...
champion and businessman from San Diego, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. He competed in the defense portion of four America’s Cup races (1964, 1967, 1970, and 1974), and was part of the organizational effort for two others. His innovative year-round training regimen for the 1974 race permanently changed the way teams prepare for the America’s Cup. As a competitor, organizer, ambassador and businessman, he is credited with helping to put San Diego on the sailing map internationally, and as one of the first San Diegans to compete in the America’s Cup races, he raised the profile of the America’s Cup on the West Coast
West Coast of the United States
West Coast or Pacific Coast are terms for the westernmost coastal states of the United States. The term most often refers to the states of California, Oregon, and Washington. Although not part of the contiguous United States, Alaska and Hawaii do border the Pacific Ocean but can't be included in...
.
Personal
Driscoll was a seventh-generation Californian. One of his maternal ancestors was a soldier who accompanied Father Junipero SerraJunípero Serra
Blessed Junípero Serra, O.F.M., , known as Fra Juníper Serra in Catalan, his mother tongue was a Majorcan Franciscan friar who founded the mission chain in Alta California of the Las Californias Province in New Spain—present day California, United States. Fr...
, founder of the system of California missions
Spanish missions in California
The Spanish missions in California comprise a series of religious and military outposts established by Spanish Catholics of the Franciscan Order between 1769 and 1823 to spread the Christian faith among the local Native Americans. The missions represented the first major effort by Europeans to...
.
A longtime San Diego resident, he had seven children. He died in his La Jolla home on March 12, 2011.
America's Cup
In 1964 he skippered the trial horse Vim in the America's Cup defense qualifying races. In 1967 he was the project manager and skipper of Columbia, the first America’s Cup entry from the West CoastWest Coast of the United States
West Coast or Pacific Coast are terms for the westernmost coastal states of the United States. The term most often refers to the states of California, Oregon, and Washington. Although not part of the contiguous United States, Alaska and Hawaii do border the Pacific Ocean but can't be included in...
. In 1970 he served as tactician on the defense candidate Valiant.
It was in 1974 that he “changed forever how the (America’s Cup) event was sailed.” At that time the standard America’s Cup calendar was that the boats were built the winter before the event, and crew training began four or five months before the actual races. But Driscoll trained and drilled his crew throughout the winter in the calm waters off San Diego, while his rivals were all in dry dock. His boat Intrepid
Intrepid (yacht)
The Intrepid is a 12-metre class yacht which won the America's Cup in 1967 and again in 1970.-Design:Intrepid was designed by Olin Stephens, and was built of double-planked mahogany on white oak frames. She featured important innovations both above and below the waterline. The rudder was separated...
came close to winning the defender competition that year, but lost to Courageous
Courageous (yacht)
Courageous is a 12-metre class yacht. It was the third boat to win the America's Cup twice, in 1974 and 1977, after Intrepid in 1967 and 1970, and Columbia in 1899 and 1901. All three of these boats won for the NYYC and thus the United States...
in the final race due to a broken backstay. His year-round training program became the standard for future America’s Cup efforts.
He was also the general manager for the challenger Eagle in the 1986-87 race, and helped the San Diego Yacht Club
San Diego Yacht Club
San Diego Yacht Club is a yacht club located in San Diego Bay. Its address is 1011 Anchorage Lane, San Diego, CA 92106. It is located in Point Loma across from a spit of land known as Shelter Island.- Facilities :...
organize the 1992 races.
Other sailing
- He won the international StarStar (sailboat)The International Star is a 6.9 m one-design racing keelboat for two people.The boat must weigh at least 671 kg with a maximum total sail area of 26.5 m . It is sloop-rigged, with a mainsail larger in proportional size than any other boat of its length...
championship in 1944. - He won the Lipton Cup three times, in 1959, 1960, and 1970.
- He won the match race Congressional Cup in two consecutive years, 1965 and 1966, during which time his record was 18 and 0.
Business
He and his brother Harlan founded a boat yard in 1947. Driscoll Boat Works eventually became a major presence in the Southern California marine industry including a number of yacht construction, repair, and maintenance facilities in San Diego BaySan Diego Bay
San Diego Bay is a natural harbor and deepwater port adjacent to San Diego, California. It is 12 mi/19 km long, 1 mi/1.6 km–3 mi/4.8 km wide...
and Mission Bay, as well as yacht brokerages and Driscoll’s Wharf and Marina.
Community
He led the modernization of the Juniors program at the San Diego Yacht ClubSan Diego Yacht Club
San Diego Yacht Club is a yacht club located in San Diego Bay. Its address is 1011 Anchorage Lane, San Diego, CA 92106. It is located in Point Loma across from a spit of land known as Shelter Island.- Facilities :...
. He also founded the San Diego Yachting Cup, one of San Diego’s top annual sailing events.
Recognition
He was inducted into the San Diego Hall of Champions in 1977.He was named San Diego Yachtsman of the Year in 1966 and 1974.