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Australia II

Australia II was built for the 25th America’s Cup in 1983 under the Third International Rule.  She competed and defeated the American yacht, ‘Liberty’, the first time the Cup had been taken away from the New York Yacht Club.  The innovative wing keel design of Australia II gave her the winning edge but Dennis Conner, the defeated skipper, was back with a vengeance for the next America’s Cup in 1987.

Australia II is now owned by the National Museum of Australia and was ‘let out’ to attend the America’s Cup Jubilee Regatta at Cowes in 2001.

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Bob Hawke, Alan Bond and Ben Lexcen were key players in Australia II's extraordinary 1983 America's Cup victory

Topic: Sailing

It was the David and Goliath story that put Australia on the world sailing map, an extraordinary feat that ended the longest winning streak in any sport, anywhere in the world.

And with a rich list of characters including a larrikin prime minister, a millionaire businessman whose dodgy business dealings funded the enterprise, and a genius inventor whose top-secret keel design was to revolutionise the yachting world, the story of how Australia snatched the famed America's Cup from the New York Yacht Club (NYYC) in 1983 is the stuff of legend.

In the storied 132-year history of the cup, no challenger had come close to threatening the dominance of the well-to-do NYYC, which had held the trophy since winning a sailing race around the Isle of Wight in the UK in 1851.

The storied New York Yacht Club in New York City, home to generations of America's wealthiest families including the Vanderbilts and Rothschilds. ( Facebook: New York Yacht Club )

Indeed, some NYYC members seemed to regard the prestigious trophy as the club's unassailable birthright, over which it would have permanent custody.

Alan Bond, however, had other ideas.

The national hero who became a villain

Yet to be unmasked as a corporate villain who swindled millions from investors and taxpayers, Bond in 1983 was well on the way to becoming the national treasure the America's Cup would turn him into, albeit temporarily.

Back then he was the rags-to-riches success story that so many Australians aspired to be, the humble sign writer turned millionaire property developer who had migrated from the UK in 1950 without a penny to his name.

Alan Bond's rags-to-riches tale endeared him to many. (  Supplied: Renni Ellis Photographic Archive )

Over the subsequent decades, his burgeoning business empire would go on to encompass land developments, breweries, television stations, diamonds, oil, gold, an entire English village, a Gold Coast university and even world-famous Impressionist paintings, to name just a few of his colourful enterprises.

Bond's passion for making money was matched by his skill at self-promotion, and in the America's Cup he sensed an opportunity to make a name for himself on the world stage.

Bond's business empire included an eponymous university in Queensland. ( Bond University )

Journalist Paul Barry's biography, The Rise and Fall of Alan Bond, quotes him telling a journalist: "Anyone who considers racing for the America's Cup isn't a business proposition, is a bloody fool."

If increasing his profile and leveraging opportunity was the aim, Bond succeeded wildly.

By 1983 he'd already financed three America's Cup challenges, earning an Australian of the Year award for his efforts in 1978.

Australia II was Alan Bond's fourth attempt to snatch the coveted America's Cup. ( Grant Simmer )

And his perseverance was to pay even bigger dividends on the fourth attempt when Australia II crossed the finish line on September 26, 1983, to snatch the unlikeliest of victories from the jaws of defeat, making Bond a national hero and giving him the sort of wall-to-wall publicity even he could have scarcely dreamed of.

The top-secret advantage

Like Bond, boat designer Ben Lexcen was a self-made man with little formal education.

After designing three previous boats for America's Cup challenges, only one of which managed to win a single race, Lexcen knew a radical new approach would be needed to win the cup.

Ever the gambler, Bond was prepared to back his man.

Ben Lexcen spent months working on the design for Australia II and its revolutionary keel. ( National Archives of Australia: A6315, K25/10/83/9 )

Lexcen was sent to a sailing design institute in the Netherlands, reportedly with a blank cheque from Bond, to work on a new design.

What emerged from months of testing has gone down in the annals of sailing history.

Lexcen had developed a radical new 'winged' keel, like nothing the sailing world had ever seen before which was to herald a revolution in yacht design.

The winged keel made Lexcen's new boat, Australia II , much faster and more manoeuvrable – and importantly, the Australians' secret weapon also became a psychological weapon.

Australia II, with her famous winged keel hidden, is transported from the shed where she was built in Cottesloe, to Fremantle dock with a police escort.  ( Supplied: State Library of Western Australia )

The team went to great lengths to hide it from the outside world and the Americans in particular, shrouding the keel in tarpaulins as it was transported and hiring armed guards around the clock to protect it from prying eyes.

The unlikely victory

With six unsuccessful challenges behind it, beginning in 1962 with media mogul Frank Packer's yacht Gretel, Australia was thought to have little chance of winning the imposing sterling silver trophy from the iron grip of the US.

But when Australia II  began to dominate the trial races to choose a contender for the 1983 America's Cup, the scions of the NYYC were determined to do everything in their power to win.

Alan Bond and his wife Eileen were central figures in the drama of the America's Cup win. ( State Library of WA: Roger Garwood )

First, they tried to buy the keel design from the Netherlands testing facility where it was developed, and when that failed, they repeatedly tried to claim the keel violated the rules of the race, though it had been earlier deemed allowable. That tactic also failed.

Nonetheless, the 1983 competition had begun in emphatic style for the US team on their boat Liberty, which easily defeated the Australians in the first two races, helped by equipment failure on Australia II .

Australia II's secret winged keel began to unnerve the Americans after its resounding victories in the qualifying races. ( Larry Moran, Chicago )

Then unexpectedly, the Australian boat won the third race of the series, only to lose the fourth, leaving the Americans in a commanding position at 3-1 in the best-of-seven series.

But when the Australians snatched victory in the fifth, then the sixth race, sailing fever engulfed the nation and suddenly everyone wanted to be a part of it.

It was the first time in 132 years the tournament had even run to a seventh race – usually the Americans won it convincingly in just four – and tensions ran high.

Australia II was behind Liberty for most of the final race and few expected her to win. ( Larry Moran, Chicago )

The defining moment came in the middle of the night Australian time.

After starting the race well behind Liberty, Australia II surged forward in the last leg of the nail-bitingly close final to cross the finish line ahead by a convincing 41 seconds.

Improbably, the cup was Australia's.

Alan Bond (centre) and Australia II skipper John Bertrand (right) give the thumbs up sign to fans that surrounded the dock after their victory in the America's Cup. ( AFP )

The nation's pride

Forty years on, it's almost impossible to convey the sheer joy and pride that washed over Australia in the wake of the victory.

Millions had tuned in overnight to watch the coverage on television, and apart from the joyous moment Australia II sailed across the finish line, were additionally treated to images of an ecstatic prime minister, who had rushed to Royal Perth Yacht Club for the celebrations.

Perth residents celebrate after waking to the news Australia had won the America's Cup. ( National Archives of Australia )

Dressed in an unforgettable jacket emblazoned with the word Australia and doused in champagne, an almost hysterically excited Hawke famously declared: "Any boss who sacks anyone today for not turning up is a bum".

Waking up bleary-eyed the next day, it was as if the country had taken leave of its senses.

Boxing kangaroo flags decorated shops and houses (a windfall for Bond who owned the image), those that had taken Hawke's advice to take the day off flocked to pubs and clubs to celebrate, and television and talkback radio was giddy with the excitement of it all.

The nation celebrated the cup victory with huge excitement. ( National Archives of Australia )

The anthem of the Australia II team, Men at Work's Down Under , was played incessantly, and the nation revelled in the glory.

It was more than just a sporting contest. Somehow this relatively obscure tournament held on the other side of the world had united the country in joy and excitement.

Prime Minister Bob Hawke and Alan Bond were key figures in the America's Cup celebrations. ( National Archives of Australia: A8746, KN16/11/83/46 )

Australia loves an underdog and the country's larrikin spirit, embodied in its prime minister, was elevated to new heights by the minnow yachting syndicate from an obscure sailing club in Perth trouncing the might of the US establishment.

The country erupted in a celebration that was to last weeks, the culmination of which was the triumphant return of the boat and its crew to Australia a month after their stunning victory.

Perth's moment of glory

Home city Perth threw a huge parade through the city and a day-long concert on the city's foreshore featuring the crème de la creme of the 1983 entertainment scene, including Peter Allen and the now disgraced Rolf Harris. 

Rolf Harris was among a host of performers at the America's Cup celebrations in Perth. ( Supplied: State Library of Western Australia )

More than 200,000 people are estimated to have turned out that day – nearly a quarter of the city's population – to cheer on the conquering heroes and get a glimpse of the famed trophy.

Huge crowds flocked to the Esplanade in Perth for the America's Cup celebrations in October 1983. ( Richard Woldendorp: State Library of Western Australia )

Freelance photographer Roger Garwood remembers it well, and his anecdote about that time encapsulates the heightened emotions many felt.

Joy and excitement swept across Australia when the America's Cup was won. ( State Library of Western Australia: Richard Woldendorp )

Inundated with requests from editors around the world for an image of the cup itself, Mr Garwood phoned Royal Perth Yacht Club to ask if he could photograph it, and was surprised to be told the club would deliver it to his home in Fremantle.

Police guard the America's Cup during celebrations for Australia's 1983 victory. ( National Archives of Australia: A61, K3/11/83/16 )

"The cup had arrived in a Holden car driven by a security guard," he said.

"It was in a Perspex case, sitting on the front passenger seat and strapped in place by the seat belt.

"We carefully unloaded it and carried it down the hallway to the living room where it was taken from its case.

"Thus [my home] was the first place the cup visited in Fremantle and arguably the first private home in Australia."

Without telling him what was in store, Mr Garwood urged his parents — mother Ethel and his sailing mad father Oliver — to come over quickly.

Photographer Roger Garwood's father Oliver (Bob), pictured with his mother Ethel and eight-year-old son Ben, was overwhelmed to see the America's Cup trophy in his son's lounge room. ( Supplied: Roger Garwood )

"They had no clue and walked into the living room where the old boy, now 82, was totally dumbstruck," Mr Garwood recalled.

"He stood for a few seconds staring at the cup, not quite understanding how this moment had come about.

"Then he burst into tears."

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.

Important information

This event is wheelchair accessible. If you have any questions about access, please get in touch with us via [email protected] or on 1300 134 081 .

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We recognise and respect the Traditional Owners of this Country and their connection to the lands, waters and skies.

Australia II

• original hull
• original deck
• original layout
• original rigging
• original sails
• Western Australia
• overhanging stem
• overhanging transom
• displacement
• round bottom
• spade rudder
• decked with cockpit
• non-operational
• on public display
• non-floating
• inside building
• awards/trophies
• news clippings
• sport/recreation
• construction/repair
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Australia II: 40 Years On exhibition

The WA Maritime Museum, home of Australia II, is hosting a brand new exhibition to commemorate the iconic moment in international sporting history when Australia II claimed America’s Cup Victoria from the American’s after 132 years.

Australia II: 40 Years On exhibition explores the celebrated stories that led to Australia II emerging victorious alongside Western Australia’s incredible maritime sporting achievements. 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.

The exhibition runs until 4 February 2024 but, to expand the celebrations across the long weekend, the WA Maritime Museum is offering free entry. From 23 - 26 September visitors can enjoy the exhibition, see the famous yacht and take part in a range of special activities and performances.

Australia II: 40 Years On exhibition is on at WA Maritime Museum from 9 September 2023 until 4 February 2024.

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