On Monday, 26 September 1983, Australia II crossed the finish line in the deciding race of the America’s Cup, ending the longest winning streak in the history of sport, 132 years.
The moment instantly became one of Australia’s greatest sporting moments, uniting a nation that was coming off a devastating drought, tough economic times, and failure at the recent Olympic Games.
Following Australia’s unexpected triumph, newly elected Prime Minister Bob Hawke famously said, “any boss who sacks anyone for not turning up today is a bum.”
Sports Bizarre with Titus O’Reily and Mick Molloy will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the victory with a special series exploring the history and rare facts of the America’s Cup.
“Growing up, this victory loomed large over the country. It created the Boxing Kangaroo, made Men at Work’s ‘Down Under’ an anthem, and got everyone to call for a public holiday whenever Australia wins something. All great things,” said Mick Molloy.
The series will examine the history of the America’s Cup and the 1983 race and includes:
• Queen Victoria’s role in starting the race in 1851.
• James Gordon Bennett Jr, the newspaper tycoon who raced his horse and carriage naked around New York, while overseeing the race as Commodore of the New York Yacht Club.
• J.P. Morgan, the American financier who used his wealth and power to ensure the United States kept the cup.
• Sir Thomas Lipton, founder of Lipton’s tea and the man who would challenge five times for the cup, only to lose every attempt
• The arrival of the Australians as challengers in 1962, with the backing of Sir Frank Packer
• Alan Bond picking up the mantle and to launch four challenges that led to the 1983 triumph
The series will cover the build-up to the 1983 race, the appointment of John Bertrand AO as skipper, the rise of his nemesis Dennis Conner and Ben Lexcen’s design of the infamous winged keel and the Americans attempts to ban it in court.
Sports Bizarre’s new series begins on Monday, 4 September, and runs throughout the month, culminating in a special episode on the 40th anniversary, Tuesday, 26 September, with an hour-long interview with the winning skipper John Bertrand.
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