Constellation is an American racing
yachts in the 12-metre class that
successfully defended the 1964
America's Cup. On 20 March 1964,
Constellation had beaten Sovereign
by 4–0 in matches in the 1964
America's Cup. She was a quite elegant
all-round boat, which was selected
as Cup Defender over the large and
powerful AMERICAN EAGLE, which was
only superior in heavy weather. This
should have been a tip off to the
future but the true significance of
having to design the smallest
possible 12-Metre for Newport
conditions was not generally
appreciated until Australia II
lifted the Cup in 1983. The reason
12-Metres form an exception to the
axiom "design big" is the
idiosyncrasy of the rule,
particularly the prescription of
increased displacement with length.