Bill Ficker: The America’s Cup Loses One Of Its Greats
The America’s Cup has lost one of the great names from its history with the news that the USA’s Bill Ficker, Skipper of Intrepid in 1970, has passed away at the venerable age of 89. Bill lead the crew of Intrepid to a 4-1 victory in the 1970 America’s Cup, the 21st edition of the competition for the world’s oldest sports trophy, beating Sir Frank Packer’s Gretel II Challenger which represented Australia and the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron.
In addition to his success in the America’s Cup, winning the trophy with Intrepid in 1970, Bill was also a World Champion in the Star Class, and a winner of the Congressional Cup.
In 1993 Bill was one of the first inductees to the America’s Cup Hall of Fame, and, in the same year, was also inducted into US Sailing’s Hall of Fame. RIP Bill, you were truly one of the greats.
