John Gerald Driscoll III

John Gerald "Gerry" Driscoll III (1924 – March 12, 2011) was an international yachting champion and businessman from San Diego, California. He competed in the defense portion of four America's Cup races (1964, 1967, 1970, and 1974), and was part of the organizational effort for two others. His innovative year-round training regimen for the 1974 race permanently changed the way teams prepare for the America's Cup. As a competitor, organizer, ambassador and businessman, he is credited with helping to put San Diego on the sailing map internationally, and as one of the first San Diegans to compete in the America's Cup races, he raised the profile of the America's Cup on the West Coast. In 1967 he was the project manager and skipper of Columbia, the first America's Cup entry from the West Coast. In 1970 he served as tactician on the defense candidate Valiant.

It was in 1974 that he "changed forever how the (America's Cup) event was sailed." His year-round training program became the standard for future America's Cup efforts.

He was also the general manager for the challenger Eagle in the 1986–87 race, and helped San Diego Yacht Club organize the 1992 races.

Other sailing He won the international Star championship in 1944. He won the Lipton Cup three times, in 1959, 1960, and 1970. He won the match race Congressional Cup in two consecutive years, 1965 and 1966, during which time his record was 18 and 0.

He was named San Diego Yachtsman of the Year in 1966 and 1974.

Personal life Driscoll was a seventh-generation Californian. One of his maternal ancestors was a soldier who accompanied Father Junípero Serra, founder of the system of California missions. 1944 Star World Championship Lake Michigan, USA 1st Star class