Today in history

Newport, Rhode Island, Monday, September 26th, 1983 at 17:20… The moment when the United States lost the America’s Cup. Today marks the 25th anniversary of Australia II’s legendary victory.

“All I can say is ‘Mate’. That is the very finest Australian saying. And all the summer it’s been ‘check’ to the New York Yacht Club, to the British, to Dennis, or whatever it was. We were playing chess with them. ‘Check, Check, Check, Check’. And today we say ‘Mate’!”

John Bertrand
“In my opinion, they are the best in the world (referring to his crew on the evening of September 26th, 1983). “I have been involved with the most incredible team spirit that any skipper could possibly wish for. I am honoured to have won the America’s Cup for Australia. Thank you very much.“

Twenty-five years later, it is difficult to imagine a better summary of the 25th America’s Cup than the words spoken by Warren Jones, the executive director of the Australian syndicate, on Monday evening, September 26th, 1983 at Newport, just moments after Australia II KA-6, had beaten Liberty US-40, to secure the America’s Cup for Australia. After three attempts, Alan Bond had just put an end to 132-years of American supremacy. For the Australians, it was a culmination of over one decade of attempts at the Cup, resulting in a dream team of highly motivated sailors, led by skipper John Bertrand and sailing a brilliantly innovative Ben Lexcen designed 12-metre.

Other stuff that happened on the 26th September…

1687
The Parthenon in Athens is severely damaged when a mortar bomb, fired by the Venetian Army besieging the Turks holding the Acropolis, sets off the Turkish supplies of gunpowder.

1907
A Royal Proclamation changes the status of New Zealand from a British colony to the Dominion of New Zealand.

1944
The Second World War: Allied forces go “a bridge too far” and bid a hasty retreat from Arnhem in the Netherlands suffering heavy loses as Operation Market Garden fails.

1960
In America, the first ever Presidential candidate television debate is held between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon.

1969
In Britain, The Beatles release the album Abbey Road.