Ted Turner, the media maverick, sports team owner, sailing champion, and philanthropist, died peacefully May 6, 2026 at his home near Tallah
Ted Turner, the media maverick, sports team owner, sailing champion, and philanthropist, died peacefully May 6, 2026 at his home near Tallahassee, Florida. He was 87.
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Turner’s venture into the America’s Cup in the 1970s shook up what was (then) a venerable bastion of propriety. His public battles with Dennis Conner, Lowell North, and local clubs are storied. He was labeled “Captain Outrageous” by a media overjoyed to have an uninhibited rock star in their midst who spoke his mind.
Turner acquired the 12-Metre Courageous after its America’s Cup victory in 1974. Always loyal, he put together a crew of old SORC hands including tactician Gary Jobson and trimmer Robbie Doyle, and made the cover of Sports Illustrated after winning the right to defend the Cup. In 1977, Turner steered Courageous to a 4-0 sweep of Australia.
Turner won the coveted Congressional Cup that same year, and prevailed in the storm-ravaged Fastnet Race in 1979. The only man Voted Rolex Yachtsman of the Year four times, Ted Turner will probably be the last amateur skipper to win the America’s Cup.
He was inducted into the first Class of the National Sailing Hall of Fame in 2011.
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And two other pieces from Scuttlebutt:
With the passing of Ted Turner, his dominant 4-0 victory over Australia in the 1977 America's Cup is brought back to life with extracts take
Gary Jobson and Ted Turner bonded during their 1977 America’s Cup victory and remained close thereafter. Gary shares this sentiment followin