Olin Stephens
"I was lucky: I had a goal. As far back as I can remember I
wanted to design fast boats." And that's exactly what Olin Stephens (b.
1908) did, starting at 19 as an apprentice with a successful 6-meter
designer of the time. By 21, he'd joined forces with Drake Sparkman and
began creating legends, starting with Dorade in 1930. In 1937, in collaboration with Starling Burgess, Stephens designed the Super-J, Ranger. The last of an impressive breed, Ranger was also fast; she was selected to defend the Cup after only seven races.
The
Cup began again 26 years later and Stephens had used the time well,
designing everything from amphibious assault vehicles and 110-foot
patrol craft for WWII to timeless boats such as Baruna, Vim, Brilliant, Stormy Weather, Northern Light, and Nyala. His experience with 12-Meters such as Vim-designed
and built in the 1930s yet barely eliminated in the defender trials of
1958-made him a central figure in the America's Cup until 1980, when he
designed the last 12-Meter to successfully defend the Cup, Freedom, in 1980.
Stephens
has also been a central figure in the development of rating rules from
the CCA, to IOR, to IMS, in which he still serves in an advisory
capacity. To this day, Stephen's designs grace the waters of the world
and provide a link to a bygone era. From Finisterre to Brilliant, Freedom to Nyala his designs are cherished, as is he.
