australia ii win yachting america's cup

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America’s Cup win

1983: Australia II wins the America’s Cup

Australia II and crew celebrate the 1983 win. Photo: Larry Moran

At 5.21pm on 26 September 1983, off the coast of Rhode Island, the yacht Australia II crossed the finish line to win the America’s Cup.

In the best of seven races, Australia II was 1–3 down after the first four races. In the final race Australia came from behind to win 4–3. It was the first America’s Cup race in 132 years that a country other than the USA won.

Prime Minister Bob Hawke, 27 September 1983:

Any boss who sacks anyone for not turning up today is a bum.

Pair of green Stubbies sailing shorts worn by Will Baillieu, Starboard Grinder on Australia II during the 1983 America's Cup. National Museum of Australia

America’s Cup history

The America’s Cup began life in England as the Royal Yacht Squadron’s £100 Cup, awarded to the winner of a race around the Isle of Wight.

In August 1851 the race was won by the schooner America (after which the Cup was subsequently named) representing the youthful New York Yacht Club.

The Earl of Wilton, Commodore of the Royal Yacht Squadron, had invited the Americans to take part, and theirs was the first foreign yacht to enter the race.

In a ploy repeated by the Australians in 1983, the Americans in 1851 played up the radical new design of their yacht and hinted that they had a secret advantage below the waterline. Actually, it was the combination of a new hull design and less sail aloft that gave America the edge.

With this single victory, America transformed yachting into an international competition. The New York Yacht Club Commodore John Cox Stevens and the members of his ownership syndicate sold the winning schooner before returning home.

They donated the trophy to the New York Yacht Club in 1857 under a Deed of Gift which stated that the trophy would be 'a perpetual challenge cup for friendly competition between nations'.

The New York Yacht Club’s first defense of the Cup took place in 1870. Britain repeatedly challenged for the Cup, with one competitor, Sir Thomas Lipton, mounting five challenges between 1899 and 1930.

As the years passed, it was the prospect of breaking this extraordinary winning streak that made the America’s Cup so coveted.

Australian involvement in the America's Cup

Britain and Canada were the only two nations to challenge for the Cup until 1962 when an Australian syndicate headed by Sir Frank Packer and based at the Royal Sydney Yacht club challenged in Gretel . Although the Cup was successfully defended by the Americans, the competition was close and Gretel was the first boat to win an America’s Cup match race since 1930.

The Australians returned in 1970 with Gretel II but were unsuccessful. The Gretel II campaign was famously controversial, particularly when having won a second race, the Australians were stripped of their win by the NYYC. Future captain of Australia II, John Bertrand, competed in his first challenge on board Gretel II.

Other Australian challengers were Dame Pattie in 1967, Southern Cross in 1974, Australia in 1977 and 1980, followed by Australia II in 1983.

Entrepreneur Alan Bond entered the Cup challenge process in 1974 with Southern Cross . While both Southern Cross and Australia failed in their three attempts, they provided crucial training for the historic 1983 challenge.

Patent for Ben Lexcen’s winged keel. Photo: Larry Moran

Australia II

Alan Bond again bankrolled the Royal Perth Yacht Club’s entry, Australia II, for the 1983 challenge. Ben Lexcen (formerly Bob Miller) who had also designed Southern Cross and co-designed Australia , designed the yacht.

Her outstanding characteristic was a completely new winged keel design, which the team kept hidden until it was revealed to fans after the final race.

Australia II dominated the Challenger series, winning the Louis Vuitton Cup, and the NYYC embarked on a legal challenge to disqualify the Australian yacht. The boat was ruled a legal 12 Meter and allowed to participate in the regatta.

1983 America’s Cup race tournament

The America’s Cup is a best of seven race tournament. Australia II , skippered by John Bertrand, lined up for the first race against the American defender, Liberty , skippered by Dennis Conner, on 13 September 1983.

The NYYC cancelled the race due to foul weather. A successful start was made the following day, but Australia II was hampered by equipment failure. Liberty won by one minute and ten seconds. The Australians’ second race was also marred by equipment failure, with Conner winning by one minute and 33 seconds.

Race three was abandoned as neither yacht could complete the course in the time limit, and was restarted the following day. Australia II won by three minutes and 14 seconds, which brought relief and jubilation to the Australians and their supporters.

However, when Liberty won race four, it seemed that it might be all over for the Australian campaign.

Australia II had to win every one of the next three races to take the Cup. The fifth race started poorly, with the Australians giving the Americans a 37-second lead. However, the Americans lost this precious advantage due to equipment failure. Australia II won by one minute and 47 seconds.

Race six took place on 22 September 1983. Even if Australia II hadn’t gone on to win the Cup, it would have made history by winning this race. It was the first time a defender had gone three-all, and it was the biggest winning margin recorded.

Victory for Australia

About 2,000 boats turned out to watch the historic seventh race on 24 September 1983, which disappointingly, had to be abandoned due to unstable weather conditions. Rescheduled for 26 September 1983, the race started after only one postponement.

The Australians started well but lost their early lead. Things looked grim, with Liberty increasing its lead at every mark. Designer Ben Lexcen couldn’t bear to watch. He went below on the Bond launch, Black Swan , and stared at the NYYC officials’ boat.

Lexcen was only alerted to Australia II ’s amazing comeback during the fifth leg by the change of demeanour of those on board the officials’ boat.

Two vital differences on this leg let Australia II regain the lead. The spinnaker was set and held better than Liberty , and Australia II was able to find a few extra lifts of wind.

Once in the lead, Australia II was under ferocious attack from Liberty on the final leg. The American yacht tacked 45 times in attempting to regain the lead. At 5.21pm Australia II crossed the finish line 41 seconds ahead of Liberty.

Australia II ’s winged keel. The yacht is on permanent display at the Western Australian Maritime Museum in Fremantle. Photo: kenhodge13 via Wikimedia Commons

Reaction in Australia

In Australia, the final race took place in the early hours of the morning, but much of the nation stayed up to watch the historic victory on television. The America’s Cup, previously of interest only to the yachting fraternity, suddenly had a galvanising effect on the public mood.

According to author Lou d’Apulget:

The 1983 challenge was a never-to-be-repeated summer-long epic that wiped wars, politics and economics from the pages of newspapers and brought the subject of boat racing into such unlikely places as the Oval Office of the White House.

On 15 May 1984 the federal cabinet decided to buy Australia II from Alan Bond.

Dennis Conner successfully challenged the Australians in 1987.

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John Bertrand, Born to Win, the Power of a Vision: Celebrating 30 years of the Australia II’ s America’s Cup Win, Slattery Media Group, Victoria, 2013.

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On every occasion across the 132 years leading into the 1983 America’s Cup, no international team had successfully challenged the New York Yacht Club and taken the Cup home with them. However, the Australian syndicate representing the Royal Perth Yacht Club fielding the Australia II, skippered by Legend of Australian Sport, John Bertrand AO , fought back from a 3-races-to-1 deficit to not only end the United States’ domination of the racing series, but also snap the longest winning streak in sporting history.

Australia II was billed as one of the biggest threats to America’s dominance in the 12-metre class, however, the boat, designed by SAHOF Member Ben Lexcen AM , complete with the revolutionary ‘winged keel’, was subject to controversy from the outset of the challenger series after the New York Yacht Club alleged the keel wasn’t legal and that the boat hadn’t been “designed and constructed in country” as per America’s Cup rules. The boat was eventually ruled legal with her, and her crew allowed to participate, and they dominated the challenger series before entering the America’s Cup finals as the most promising contender to date.

In the finals, the US yacht Liberty  won the first and second races by over a minute – due to Australia II suffering multiple setbacks, including equipment failure – before the Aussies returned fire in the third race, and then – after Liberty had won the fourth – the fifth and sixth, which took the series to a Cup-deciding seventh race – this was the first time the America’s Cup had been gone beyond five races. About 2000 boats turned out to watch the historic seventh race on September 24, however, disappointingly, it had to be abandoned due to unstable weather conditions. 

The rescheduled final race was televised live in Australia during the early hours of September 27, 1983. The early stages of the race were cautious as neither team wanted to make a mistake that would result in a protest, and after the Australians started well, Liberty recovered and took the lead. At the start of the penultimate leg (a square run), it looked as though the Cup would stay in Newport yet again, however, two vital differences on this leg let Australia II regain the lead – her spinnaker was set and held better than Liberty , and she was able to find a few extra lifts of wind that eluded her rival. Australia II  held on until both boats reached the starboard layline in amongst the spectator fleet and tacked several boat lengths ahead of  Liberty before sailing to the finish to take the race by 41 seconds, thus becoming the first successful challenger in the 132 years since the schooner boat America  won it in a race around England’s Isle of Wight.

It was just before dawn in Australia and, as Australians celebrated the victory in public venues across the country, Australia’s Prime Minister, Bob Hawke was interviewed at the celebration at Royal Perth YC when, after he had humorously fended off repeated questions from journalists wondering whether he would declare a public holiday, he joked that “any boss who sacks a worker for not turning up today is a bum!” which was met with rapturous laughter.

Australia II ‘s win prompted US President, Ronald Regan to write to Mr Hawke to congratulate him. He wrote, “Dear Bob, if the America’s Cup had to leave the United States, I am delighted that its home will be in Australia – at least until the next race. All Australians must be justifiably proud of the extraordinary team effort, skill and sportsmanship that brought off this magnificent victory. I hope you will share with all those who had anything to do with Australia II’s success my congratulations and those of the American people.” He finished by stating that “One major consolation for us is that the next race will provide a large number of Americans the opportunity to enjoy the beauty and hospitality of Perth as they seek to bring home the Cup. Sincerely, Ronald Regan”

This victory by Australia II and her crew was a landmark event for the nation of Australia and one that transcended sailing to become the symbol of a time when Australia came of age and made our mark on the international stage.

Competition The America’s Cup

Captain John Bertrand AO

Team Members: John Bertrand AO (Skipper), Colin Beashel, Peter Costello, Damien Fewster, Ken Judge, Skip Lissiman, John Longley, Brian Richardson, Phil Smidmore, Grant Simmer, Hugh Treharne Reserves: Will Baillieu, Rob Brown, Sir James Hardy OBE, Scott McAllister

Image: ABC/Larry Moran, Chicago

Saturday 9 September 2023 – Sunday 4 February 2024

Included with General Admission. Book your tickets to WA Maritime Museum below. 

Re-live Australia II 's historic victory of the 1983 America's Cup.

On 26 September 1983, the yacht Australia II made global history when the oldest sporting trophy in the world, the America’s Cup, was wrested from the Americans after 132 years.

Sail back in time to the 1980s; a time when the famous boxing kangaroo and big hair were all the rage! Discover the untold stories and memorable moments that lead to the incredible Cup victory, continuing in 1987 when Fremantle hosted the Cup defence, hoisting the port city onto the world stage. 

Get an intimate look at the grit and perseverance of the Australian crew led by John Bertrand, as they set new standards in elite sport with a revolutionary keel design shrouded in secrecy.

In Newport, Rhode Island at 5.21pm,  Australia II crossed the finish line, the committee boats cannon firing a puff of white smoke indicating this stunning victory. Celebrate this historic moment from 40 years ago and the feel the impact it has had on the nation with our incredible maritime sporting achievements. 

WA Maritime Museum is the official home of the Australia II  yacht with the Museum being purpose built to house this Western Australian icon. Forever immortalised, see the yacht displayed in the defining moment of the final race, having just passed the American boat Liberty on the last downwind leg.

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Today, September 26, marks the 40th anniversary of the America's Cup win by Australia II

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40th anniversary of Australia II yacht winning 1983's America's Cup: WA Maritime Museum

Ask anyone of a certain vintage the significance of September 26, 1983, and chances are their face will light up as they say, "that's when we won the America's Cup!".

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The yacht Australia II made history when the oldest sporting trophy in the world was wrested from the Americans after 132 years.

Discussing the upcoming 40 th anniversary celebrations of the legendary win, crew member Skip Lissiman said the team had no inkling of the impact of the success until they arrived back in Perth.

"We had no idea how big it was back in Australia and how much people were getting behind it," he said.

"It was very unusual for people to support and follow a yacht race on the other side of the planet.

"So we were very surprised how big it was back here and I don't think in sporting terms there has been anything to equal it, although maybe the Matildas will."

Former prime minister Bob Hawke recognised the win's impact on the nation's psyche.

"I sat next to him at the 30 th anniversary celebrations in Sydney and he turned to me and said, 'You know what, in all the things I did as a politician people still say the one thing they remember most about me is what I said on the day we won the America's Cup'," Skip said.

"His words were, 'Any boss that sacks a worker for not turning up today is a bum'.

"For all the reforms he achieved, that is the thing people remember."

Skip said his main feeling about the win at the time was relief.

"That was my second America's Cup. I did another one in 1980, and it took me nearly six months to get over the loss.

"So to win was a relief, but over time the elation kicked in."

That summer in Newport, Rhode Island, involved a lot of hard work.

"It was up early at 6am, an hour of exercise, throw some breakfast down, rush down to the boat, put the sails onboard, head out on the water - quite often it was a one-hour tow to get out to the race course area - get the sails up, test, check the winds, check the conditions, check the set-up, do some adjustments to the boat, then race."

He said the race could take as long as five hours.

"And it wasn't unusual for us to have two races in a day, then they would be more like to two-three hours each. Then tow back, get sails out of the boat, do any maintenance work, throw some dinner down, go to bed and repeat the same thing seven days a week."

Skip said many elements went into Australia II's success.

"Everyone focuses on the famed winged keel as being the magic thing that won the America's Cup. The reality was there was a multitude of components that went into the success.

"The winged keel was part of it, but equally the crew and the team were extremely well prepared and certainly on par or superior to the American team and crew."|

He said the sails were revolutionary in design, materials and how they were prepared, while the management skills in being one step ahead of the Americans were essential.

"The vision and backing of Alan Bond was exceptional," Skip said. "After being defeated three previous times he continued to persevere."

Skip is still very involved in sailing, having been on the board of directors of Australian Sailing for seven years. "If you are passionate about something and you can turn your passion into reality and commercialise it, then you are away."

An exhibition to mark 40 years since Australia II won the America's Cup will take place at the yacht's permanent home, the WA Maritime Museum , Victoria Quay, from September 9-February 4.

Australia II: 40 Years On will include a new film featuring untold stories by the 1983 winning team members, including Skip. On the second Tuesday of the month, entry to the maritime museum is by gold coin donation.

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On This Day – September 26, 1983: Australia II Wins America’s Cup in Newport

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It was on September 26, 1983 that Australia II defeated Liberty in Newport to win the America’s Cup trophy that had been in the hands of the New York Yacht Club since the competition begain in 1851.

The 1983 America’s Cup was the occasion of the first winning challenge to the New York Yacht Club, which had successfully defended the cup over a period of 132 years. An Australian syndicate representing the Royal Perth Yacht Club fielded the Australia II , skippered by John Bertrand, against defender Liberty , skippered by Dennis Conner.

Australia II came from behind to prevail 4 races to 3 to win the America’s Cup, ending the longest winning streak in sporting history and ending U.S. domination of the racing series.

The victory on 26 September 1983 was a landmark event for the nation of Australia, not to mention the Royal Perth Yacht Club. The achievement was underscored when Australia II was awarded the ABC Wide World of Sports Athlete of the Year for 1983.

The crew of Australia II for the America’s Cup races was John Bertrand (skipper), Colin Beashel, Will Baillieu, Peter Costello, Damian Fewster, Ken Judge, Skip Lissiman, John Longley, Brian Richardson, Phil Smidmore, Grant Simmer, and Hugh Treharne. The reserves were Rob Brown, Jim Hardy, Scott McAllister. Beashel was an Olympic medal winning sailor who competed at six Olympic games. Richardson was an Olympic oarsman who had stroked the Australian men’s VIII at the Moscow 1980 Olympics.

While the America’s Cup World Series has taken place in Newport since then, the race itself has not returned to Newport.

Program: Was the 1983 America's Cup win Australia's greatest ever sporting victory?

Program: RN Breakfast

Brought to you by

For 132 years the New York Yacht Club reigned over the world's most prestigious sailing competition, The America's Cup.

Until, forty years ago to the day, John Bertrand's Australia II sailed to victory. 

Guest:  John Bertrand AO

Producer:  Luke Siddham Dundon

Image Details

The crew of America's Cup yacht Australia II cheer. ( Larry Moran, Chicago )

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HISTORIC AMERICA’S CUP 12-METRES LIGHT UP THE PUIG VELA CLÀSSICA

For fans of the America’s Cup and the competition’s rich history, this week in Barcelona has been a feast for the eyes. The Puig Vela Clàssica regatta, run by the outstanding Real Club Náutico Barcelona, has brought some of the world’s finest classic yachts together alongside a magnificent fleet of 12 Metre Class yachts that competed in the America’s Cup from 1958 through to 1987.

For many, the 12 Metre Class era was iconic, especially with the Cup changing hands after 132 years of total dominance by the New York Yacht Club when Australia II defeated Liberty in 1983. The class survived one more America’s Cup, down in the big winds and waves of Fremantle, Perth in 1987, and that regatta remains ingrained in many Cup watchers' memories as a stand-out spectacle.

Several of the boats from that 1987 regatta competed in Barcelona, including the revered Kookaburra II, French Kiss, Crusader, South Australia and Kiwi Magic who duked it out for the honours in Division A of the Puig Vela Clàssica. Furthermore, in Division D, there were some super-classic 12 Metres, with the likes of Northern Light, Vim and Jenetta enjoying incredibly close racing and rolling back the years to a bygone era.

An interesting aside in the modern 12 Metres is the number of original crew that came back to compete here in Barcelona, still racing at the highest level. Onboard French Kiss, the Phillipe Briand-designed French Challenger that underwent radical stern-surgery during the 1987 regatta but has thankfully been restored to its original flowing lines, the legendary Olympic silver medallist skipper Marc Pajot was on the wheel for the regatta.

Speaking about what it means to be back, Pajot commented: “It’s a very nice memory for me. I was an Olympic sailor, switched to ocean sailing competing around the world, and finally ended up in the America’s Cup with French Kiss in Fremantle in 1987. Five of those crew members are now competing in Barcelona – 37 years later! It’s an excellent regatta with a very large fleet, and this year, a unique opportunity to enjoy the America’s Cup in Barcelona.”

For Torben Grael, one of the world’s top sailors and a tactician for the Italian Luna Rossa campaigns in the 2000, 2003 and 2007 America’s Cups, the chance to sail Kookaburra II, the current 12 Metre World Champion owned by Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team Principal Patrizio Bertelli, is all consuming:

“In the recent World Championship (Porquerolles, France), we debuted a reconfiguration of the boat because when it was purchased, it still had the setup from Fremantle 1987. Our program is Mediterranean and sometimes in Newport, where the wind is much lighter. We have changed the keel and other things, and we are getting to know the boat. The 12 Metres are beautiful boats, requiring a good and trained crew for manoeuvres. The races are very close and beautiful.”

As the regatta concluded, it was the beautiful ‘Kookaburra II’ that secured the win scoring just seven points, to close out the series ahead of Johan Blanch’s ‘Kiwi Magic’, whilst Marc Pajot’s ‘French Kiss’ completed the podium in third overall.

In the vintage 12 Metre fleet - grouped in Division D - Hans Eliasson’s ‘Northern Light’ won the final race and secured the title with just six points, whilst James Patrick’s Vim confirm their second place, with Thomas Muller’s ‘Jenetta’ completing the podium. 

The Real Club Náutico Barcelona brought down the curtain on the XVII Puig Vela Clàssica Barcelona Regatta, the XVII (27 th ) running of this international event that is part of the official RFEV calendar and counts towards the II International CIM Championship (International Mediterranean Committee), as well as the XIII Mare Nostrum Trophy – Spanish Cup of Classic Boats.

The awards ceremony was held in the presence of Marc Puig, Executive Chairman of Puig, Jordi Puig, President of the Real Club Náutico de Barcelona, Josep Mª Isern, President of the Catalan Sailing Federation, Xavier Torres, Vice President of the Spanish Sailing Federation, Javier Moreno, Naval Commander of Barcelona, Leonardo García de Vicentis, President of AEBEC, Andrés de León, Vice President of CIM, and Pablo Garriga, Commodore of RCNB.

A glittering end to a fabulous regatta with the perfect venue and hosts for an extraordinary festival of sailing.

For more information: www.puigvelaclassica.com

(Magnus Wheatley)