Cotton Blossom II
"Cotton Blossom II " was designed and built by Norway's biggest sailing star Johan Anker. Anker won 2 gold medals for Norway in the early 1900's. Anker designed the Dragon and built at least 300 boats over the years.
CB is boat number 286 and was launched in 1925.
After spending a few years in Marblehead she was purchased by Walter Wheeler of Pitney Bowes who was a member of the Stamford and New York Yacht Clubs. She raced actively throughout the 1930s in Long Island Sound.
She was "Boat of the Year" in 1939 for the New York Yacht Club and her half-hull model is hanging in the Library of the Club.
Cotton Blossom II made her way to the West Coast. Dennis Conner had the privilege of sailing aboard her for several years in the late 1950 and early 1960s when she was berthed at the San Diego Yacht Club.
CB II won several big events including the Lipton Cup. In 1963, she won "Yacht of the Year" at the San Diego Yacht Club.
Then CB II made her way north where she sailed quite a bit in the Puget Sound where she won the famous "Swiftsure" race.
Upon returning home from the 2003 Americas Cup, Dennis thought it would be fun to sail a "Classic" wooden boat in the local races in San Diego.
The staysail schooner "Nina" was high on the list but when "CB II" became available, the boat was acquired quickly and she was trucked to San Diego where her new life began right away.
After 18 months and thousands of hours she was "re-launched" at the San Diego Yacht Club. Five former owners attended the ceremony including Walter Wheeler's grandson.
Everyone marveled at the beautiful lines and how nice the 22 coats of varnish and 100 year old leather settee's made the boat look. The tall rig and beautiful sails allowed her to do well in the local races as she got ready for her trip back to her European roots.
CB was shipped to Genoa Italy in April of 2006 and entered all the Classic Boat events she could from San Stephanio Italy, to Villefrance, to Antibes, to Cannes and, of course, ST-Tropez.
When not sailing she found a wonderful home at the front dock at the Yacht Club de Monaco.
Her performance was remarkable, winning every event and 11 of the 14 races. She also won the "Trophy de Elegance".
Everyone that had a chance to sail her had a wonderful time and would come back in a "heartbeat"!!
She presently is in a shed at Monaco Marine near St-Tropez awaiting the Classic Boat Series of 2007.
