America's Cup Yacht Racing - USA v Australia

Liberty (USA) and Australia II (below) during the opening race of the America's Cup series at Newport, Rhode Island, 14th September 1983. In September 1983, the 12 metre yacht Australia II made history when the oldest sporting trophy in the World, the America's Cup, was wrested from the Americans after 132 years. The Australia II was owned and built by a syndicate of Western Australians headed by Alan Bond. The syndicate had unsuccessfully challenged for the Cup three times. America's Cup veteran Dennis Conner, was charged with defending the trophy against the Australians. 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 series took place at Newport, Rhode Island and it certainly did not begin well for Australia II, with the Americans taking an early lead in the best of seven races. After four races the American boat 'Liberty' had a lead of 3-1. Against all odds, Australian skipper Jean Bertrand battled back, eventually bringing the score level at 3-3. The seventh and final race was symbollic of the entire series, with Conner's Liberty leading for most of the course in a light and shifty breeze. It was not until the final spinnaker run that Australia II was able to jump into the lead. For the first time since 1851 the America's Cup would be leaving the New York Yacht Club. (Photo by Leo Mason/Popperfoto via Getty Images)