A weepy, funeral-like procession in midtown Manhattan and an empty champagne bottle turned upside down: two striking images from the day the US lost the America’s Cup for the first time after more than a century of dominance — exactly 38 years ago.9
The New York Yacht Club in mourning might be the last place you’d expect a visiting Australian to try to gatecrash.
But that’s where I found myself on that fateful night: borrowing an oversized blue blazer, jumping in a yellow cab to West 44th Street and talking my way into the members’ only enclave.
And all because an elitist yachting competition had somehow captivated our entire nation.
It was on September 26, 1983, that Australia II completed an improbable comeback over US boat, Liberty, winning race seven at Newport, Rhode Island, for a 4-3 victory overall, having trailed 3-1.
Back in Australia, a nation celebrated, led by a champagne-soaked prime minister in Perth.
For the full story, see: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-26/the-new-york-yacht-club-when-australia-won-americas-cup-hawke/100422744
By Jason Dasey
