SA Footy

Where were you 25 years ago today (20/09/1983) the day Australia II won the Americas cup?

Gee a lot has happened in that 25 years even though it only seems like yesterday.

I cannot recall a sporting win by Australia that evoked such national fervour and passion as that one did.

Me I was in a hotel room in Darwin on a family holiday

Fair call Tas ... I remember mum and dad waking me up to say we were leading the decider ... I should also say that our family has as much interest and experience in yachting/sailing, as the Grog Squad has in Vanilla Coke.

BUT, for some reason (perhaps the fact that no one other than the Yanks had won the Cup in 100+ years) every single person I knew was right into it ... An unforgettable experience watching us cross the line.

I was on my way to work funny that

Took the day off.

An Historic Day.....

Constance_Perm wrote:Fair call Tas ... I remember mum and dad waking me up to say we were leading the decider ... I should also say that our family has as much interest and experience in yachting/sailing, as the Grog Squad has in Vanilla Coke.

BUT, for some reason (perhaps the fact that no one other than the Yanks had won the Cup in 100+ years) every single person I knew was right into it ... An unforgettable experience watching us cross the line.

Same her Conny....mum woke me up and Dad was already knocking off his uptenth beer

Can recall it quite well....

Mickyj wrote:I was on my way to work funny that

Ditto, I was a 2nd year apprentice and wasn't game to pull a "sicky"

Wasn't it 26th September? My older brothers birthday is what causes me to think that is the date - my younger brother and I were preparing to ambush him with birthday bumps when it was going on from memory!

The whole family watched it on TV together. A few years ago I meant Bob Hawke in a work capacity and mentioned this line to him. He told me it was the most common topic that people raised with him, (to that day)!

Squawk wrote:The whole family watched it on TV together. A few years ago I meant Bob Hawke in a work capacity and mentioned this line to him. He told me it was the most common topic that people raised with him, (to that day)!

Really? What about his famous world record for downing a yard glass in 11 seconds at a pub while studying at Oxford University?

That's what I'd be asking him about!

I remember getting up really early to see the last race and I remember the whole country being behind Australia II, Bertrand, Lexcen and Bondy get us over the line.

I think too that it was because the yanks held the thing for soooo long (132 years?). Once we won it, it lost it's sheen and I wasn't as interested in the race any more. I think the Yanks went against NZ in a catamaran at one point - which made it a farce. The old yachties at Long Island would've been annoyed right up to their stiff upper lip!

Good interview with John Bertrand on WWOS last Sunday.

A play is coming out about Australia II...

remember being draged out of bed as a kid to watch the last bit of the race. didnt mean much to me at the time but i am glad i was made to get up to watch it.

It would have ben the 26th Sep in the USA but early morning of 27th in Australia

I watched it and a few lead up races, I was so sportsmad as a kid I even watched cricket.
Can remember getting a blue and white Australia II Tshirt from Half Case later that week!