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America's Cup AUSTRALIA II model

Designer Ben Lexcen (1936 - 1988)

Maker Frank Allen

Date1994

Object number00055225

NameModel

Mediummodel of timber and non-ferrous metals

DimensionsOverall: 1110 × 800 × 160 mm

ClassificationsCommemorative artefacts

Credit LineANMM Collection Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program by Mr Albert YL Wong AM & Mrs Sophie Wong

Terms

DescriptionA1:25 scale model of AUSTRALIA II made by Frank Allen for Albert Wong. HistoryAustralia II captured the hearts of a nation when the syndicate was victorious in winning the America’s Cup in 1983, breaking a 132-year winning streak by the Americans in sport’s oldest trophy. Perhaps the most iconic of Australian sporting moments, the competition caught the attention of sailors and non-sailors alike, throughout Australia and abroad. The America’s Cup had fascinated the Australian sailing community for 20 years. Up until 1962, Britain and Canada were the only two nations to challenge for the Cup since the event was won by the schooner America against British yahcts in competition in 1851. In 1962 an Australian syndicate from the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron challenged the Americans for the first time. Led by Sir Frank Packer, the challenge by Gretel was unsuccessful, but they became the first challenger to win an America’s Cup match race against the American’s since 1930. The Australians then challenged with Dame Pattie in 1967, Gretel II in 1970, Southern Cross in 1974, and Australia in 1977 and 1980. Then in 1983, Australia challenged with their best-prepared syndicate ever, Australia II. Owned and built by a syndicate of Western Australians headed by businessman Alan Bond, the Australians were determined to bring home the ‘Auld Mug’. The designer of Australia II, Ben Lexcen, had conceived a winged keel that under secret testing in the Netherlands had out-performed conventional keels. The yacht was built in Cottesloe, WA by boatbuilder Steve Ward. Lexcen’s winged keel was at the centre of much controversy. Upon arrival in Newport, Rhode Island, the keel was hidden from view with tarpaulin ‘modesty skirts’ that were draped over the side of the boat each day before it was lifted in or out of the water. The design was protested by the Americans, but ultimately the ‘off-water’ psychological battle was won by the Aussies and they were given the all-clear to race. Skippered by John Bertrand, the crew of Australia II displayed a ‘never-say-die’ attitude when they came back from being 1-3 down, in the best of seven series. The Australians fought their way back to take the competition to the seventh and final race. The final race proved a real wrestle. The American boat Liberty led from the start, until being overtaken on the last downwind leg by Australia II. During the final windward leg the team aboard Australia II tacked many times to defend their precious lead. At 5.21pm on September 26, Australia II crossed the line to win the America’s Cup, taking the Auld Mug in an historic 4-3 win. “You captured the imagination of the people the world over,” said American President Ronald Reagan, as he congratulated the Australia II crew on a visit to the White House two days after the race. “You have shown us the stuff of which Australians are made.” The Australia II team who won the 1983 America’s Cup were responsible for one of the greatest, most memorable moments in Australia’s sporting history. SignificanceThis finely detailed 1:25 scale model represents the 12 metre yacht AUSTRALIA II on its final tack in the seventh and final race when it crossed the finish line ahead of the American boat Liberty at 5.21pm on September 26 1983. A triumphant comeback after being 1-3 down in the best of seven series saw the Australians take the 'unwinnable' trophy home.

Australian designer Ben Lexcen's innovative 12 metre yacht and his revolutionary winged keel was one of the many tools in the chest of the Australian syndicate in the gruelling months-long campaign of psychological and physical endurance. Kept hidden under shrouds it frustrated the efforts of the American opponents.