The America's Cup - 30 years on

Its 30 years since the John Bertrand skippered Australia II defeated Dennis Connor's Liberty at Newport Rhode Island; after 132 years of dominance, the Americas Cup had been wrestled from the protective clutches of the New York Yacht Club. It was an epic series; legends were forged with folk law created in front of our eyes, the longest winning streak in international sport had been broken with an upset come from behind win. Was this the best series in the history of the America's Cup?

With the Royal Perth Yacht Club defending the cup in 1987, interest in the America's Cup was at an all time high with thirteen syndicates and twenty five yachts vying for the right to challenge Iain Murray's Kookaburra III. Dennis Connor, now representing the San Diego Yacht Club was ultimately successful winning the cup 4-0, then to be contested in San Diego. Having just attended the opening day ceremony at the Royal Perth Yacht Club, Australia II team owner Alan Bond reflected on his team's 1983 triumph and what it takes to mount a successful challenge through the Louis Vuitton Cup to win the right to challenge the defender.   

A key aspect of 12 metre racing was the establishment of fair competition between boats, although not 12 metres in length, the formula allowed experimentation and a certain amount of equalisation between boats without being a fixed class in nature.

Alan Bond spoke of his 1983 campaign where he paid his team members $12.70 per day, the current crop of sailors according to Alan are paid $300k per year with tacticians and skippers in the millions. The new style yachts are fast, really fast but seem to lack the degree of style the former class of yacht had. The new boats are targeting spectators in San Francisco bay recruiting professional crews, selling television rights and sailing yachts that are pleasing to spectators. But does this series lack a certain charisma? It is no longer country against country - Team Oracle had only one American sailor aboard, the rest are highly paid international crew.  

The series was a resounding success though, Team Oracle made a massive comeback to defeat the New Zealand challenge - it is just unfortunate the skipper of Team Oracle was a Aussie and the tactician an Aussie with five other Australians on board and seven New Zealanders, a Briton and a just single American.