America's Cup Challenge 1980 racing challenge campaign office
Date1980
Object number00045711
NameSign
MediumWood, paint
DimensionsOverall: 218 x 811 x 16 mm, 1449.6 g
ClassificationsEphemera
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Patrick Corrigan
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program
DescriptionA wooden door sign for the campaign office for the 1980 America's Cup Challenge. The sign has a blue American Cup at the left side and is painted white. The sign reads: "AMERICA'S CUP CHALLENGE 1980 Campaign Office: 14 Matong Street GORDON 2072 Telephone: 498 1666".HistoryThe 1980 America's Cup was held at Newport, Rhode Island when the United States skipper Dennis Connor on FREEDOM defeated AUSTRALIA, skippered by James Hardy, four races to one.
The 1980 event was sixth unsuccessful challenge by Australia and the third by Alan Bond. All would change three years later however when John Bertrand as skipper of AUSTRALIA II would defeat Connor in Australia for the first time in 132 years.
SignificanceThis campaign sign is part of a collection of yachting material significant in presenting the syndicate and corporate perspectives of competitive sailing through one man's sponsorship efforts. Seven scrap books documenting Pat Corrigan's sponsorship of sailing documents the influence of corporate sponsorship of the America's Cup and in particular18 foot sailing from the 1960s to the 1990s.
