Photo: Getty Images ESTORIL, PORTUGAL - NOVEMBER 5: Olin Stephens of the U.S. is inducted into the Hall of Fame during the launch of the ISAF Sailing Hall of Fame on November 5, 2007 at the Estoril Casino in Estoril, Portugal.

Legendary American yacht designer Olin Stephens celebrated yesterday his 100th birthday!!

One of the most celebrated designers in the world, Stephens started his long career at 19, when he became an apprentice to a successful 6-meter designer, and by 21, he'd joined forces with Drake Sparkman, starting with the launch of the famous Dorade in 1930. In 1937, in collaboration with Starling Burgess, Stephens designed the Super-J, Ranger, selected to defend the Americas Cup after only seven races.

His connection with the Americas Cup continued when it returned after the war, designing six of the seven succesful defenders between 1958 and 1980.

All in all, after more than 50 years of career Mr. Stephens designed over 2,000 boats, including eight America's Cup winners.

He hasn't quite retired however - he still acts as an advisor to rating rules committees. Happy Birthday Olin!


Photo: ©Frank Socha
Olin Stephens in 2007, during the last America's Cup


Olin Stephens working on the plans for the new NYYC class boat, the NY32
©Rosenfeld and Sons


Rod and Olin Stephens dressed in suits standing at the end of a boom looking up at the mast on an unidentified sailing vessel
©Rosenfeld and Sons

Pictures from another era, some of the vessels designed by Olin Stephens:


J-5 Ranger
©Rosenfeld and Sons


COURAGEOUS and ENTERPRISE, America's Cup, 1977
©Rosenfeld and Sons


68' Olin Stephens designed, Minneford Yacht Yard built 12 meter class sloop CONSTELLATION (built 1964 in City Island, NY)
©Rosenfeld and Sons


COURAGEOUS and ENTERPRISE, America's Cup, 1977
©Rosenfeld and Sons

All the previous black and white images are taken from the Rosenfeld Collection, a huge and spectacular archive of the pictures by Rosenfeld and Sons. A wonderful collection to breath the legend of a vanished (except for Mr. Stephens!) sailing world. Click here to explore it


Happy Birthday again Mr. Stephens!