The San Diego Hall of Champions is excited to announce that it is installing a brand new, state of the art sailing exhibit. The exhibit will feature interactive and educational components, a dedicated room showcasing America’s Cup history in San Diego with models and video highlights, and a star class sailboat will be on display.
Sailing has long been a major competitive as well as recreational sport in San Diego. Local yacht and sailing clubs have involved thousands of San Diegans. Many have achieved success at the highest levels of international competition. Additionally, San Diego hosted three America’s Cups – 1988, 1992, and 1995.
San Diego has long been a center of sailing innovation. Sailboat designers, sail makers, and boat builders have all gained fame here, along with the people who sailed in competition. Dennis Conner’s hard wing catamaran in 1988 was 20 years ahead of current America’s Cup multi-hull technology!
Our goal is to explain sailing to those who visit the Hall of Champions and inspire their interest and potential participation in sailing in the future.
The new exhibit will span over 4,500 square feet at the Hall of Champions. A specific room will be dedicated to honoring the America’s Cup in San Diego, including six scale models of the America’s Cup boats that raced in San Diego, video highlights, photos, and memorabilia. Education, technology, racing tactics, weather and hands-on experiences will all be highlighted throughout the exhibit.
Bill Koch, who has earned an international reputation in the sailing world, got our exhibit off and running with a $500,000 matching gift. Presently, over $230,000 of the match has been raised. Our task is to secure the remaining $270,000 to fund this exhibit. To donate to this exciting new project at the Hall of Champions, please click the donate link below or mail a check to the Hall of Champions, Attn. Sailing Exhibit, 2131 Pan American Plaza, San Diego, CA 92101.
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