Edward
I. du Moulin (1930 - 2006)
Edward I. du Moulin was involved in the management
of more America's Cup campaigns than anyone in the
history of the Cup. From the time his interest was
piqued by observation of the 1937 defense of RANGER
over ENDEAVOR II, Ed has had an abiding interest in
the America's Cup.
In 1977, du Moulin managed ENTERPRISE in her unsuccessful
attempt to be selected as Cup Defender. Then in 1980,
he managed Dennis Conner's very successful defense
of the Cup in FREEDOM over AUSTRALIA. This was a landmark
defense with an outstanding yacht and crew and a pace-setting
two-boat defense campaign. Manager again in 1983 with
the yacht LIBERTY, du Moulin again performed brilliantly,
as did others in that defense, but the Cup was lost
to Australia sailing its breakthrough 12 Meter AUSTRALIA
II.
In 1987 the combination of Dennis Conner as skipper,
Malin Burnham as manager and Ed du Moulin as advisor
brought the Cup back to the U.S. with the superb victory
of STARS & STRIPES in Fremantle, Australia. In
1988, Ed was part of the management team assembled
to prove and assert the right for the catamaran STARS
& STRIPES to sail to victory over Sir Michael
Fay's "Big Boat" New Zealand challenge.
Again, Mr. du Moulin had a role in the 1992 one-boat
defense effort in San Diego and then the 1995 defense
against the successful challenge by New Zealand when
Conner, with a modest budget, waged a dramatic, though
losing, effort. His close relationship with Dennis
Conner continues.
Ed du Moulin's reputation from these many ventures
is legendary and is a result of his efficiency as
a manager and organizer; his leadership in all aspects;
his outstanding financial management; and his marvelous
way with crew, employees, volunteers and all involved.
Ed was always at the center, especially so at difficult
times; his steady hand and constant optimism were
the virtues that held together all those marvelous
accomplishments of technology and human effort. Subsequently,
du Moulin was an important organizer of the America's
Cup Hall of Fame in Bristol, Rhode Island. He was
the first chairman of the Selection Committee before
retiring from that committee several years ago.