The Australia II is a 12-meter class yacht and the first successful challenger for the America’s Cup after 132 years. The boat was designed by Ben Lexcen and built by Stephen Ward. Alan Bond owned it and the boat was helmed by John Bertrand. Australia II featured an innovative winged keel design developed by Lexcen which helped make it very fast and manoeuvrable in many conditions.
This design feature was also the most controversial but legal part of the boat. As selection trials took place for the cup defence during the summer of 1983, it was unclear whether the keel design was legal within the strict rules governing the 12-meter class. Australia II was not the first boat to have a winged keel, though its success did much to make the concept popular. Also helping the Australians was new sail technology, finally equaling or exceeding that of the Americans.
Australia II represented the Royal Perth Yacht Club of Australia in its September 1983 challenge for the America’s Cup. The New York Yacht Club had held the cup since 1851, dominating challengers and sustaining the longest winning streak in the sport. Australia II came from behind to prevail four races to three. The victory on September 26, 1983 was a landmark event for the nation of Australia, not to mention the Royal Perth Yacht Club, and it eventually earned Australia II the ABC’s Wide World of Sports Athlete of the Year for 1983.
