Sept. 15, 1962 - Under fair skies and a fresh wind, President Kennedy saw the American Weatherly defeat the Australian Gretel today in the first race for America’s Cup. The President watched the race from a forward deck beneath the bridge of the destroyer U.S.S. Joseph P. Kennedy Jr., named for his older brother who was killed in World War II while on a flying mission over Europe. When Weatherly crossed the finish line 3 minutes 46 seconds ahead of Gretel, the U.S.S. Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. congratulated her with two blasts of the horn. The President waved to the members of the crew, and they waved back. As a sailor himself, the President enjoyed the day immensely, as did his wife, Jacqueline, who exclaimed, “How exciting!”
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