300 corporate sponsors, New York Yacht Club members, family and friends attended the celebration, which marks the next phase of Conner’s America’s Cup challenge.

"There were a lot of smiles on a lot of faces today," said Dennis Conner after his wife Daintry ceremoniously blessed USA-77 by smashing a bottle of Moet Brut Imperial over the bow.

Until today, the team has been training in southern California for four months with Stars & Stripes USA-66, which was launched in February, and their trial horse, USA-54. The two new Stars & Stripes boats, which look remarkably similar, will begin their two-boat testing phase this week through the end of July, when the team will relocate to Auckland, New Zealand.