What is ben lexcen?

Ben Lexcen (1936-1988), born as Bob Miller, was an Australian yacht designer and sailor. He is best known for designing the winged keel of Australia II, the yacht that won the America's Cup in 1983, breaking the United States' 132-year winning streak.

Lexcen started his career in the marine industry as a boat builder and yacht designer. He gained recognition for his designs of the Australian 18-foot skiffs, which dominated the world championships in the 1960s and 1970s. His other notable designs include the Impala Class yacht and the Lexcen 40 production yacht.

In addition to his yacht design work, Lexcen was also an accomplished sailor. He represented Australia in the Olympics in 1964, 1968, and 1972, winning a gold medal in the Star class in 1972. He also competed in numerous international sailing competitions and held several world titles in various classes.

Lexcen passed away in 1988 at the age of 52 due to heart failure. He was posthumously inducted into the Australian Sports Hall of Fame and the America's Cup Hall of Fame.