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02 September

On this day” in 1983...

the yacht that lost the America’s Cup for the New York Yacht Club after 132 years of winning was selected by the Club to defend the Cup in the 25th match. Liberty was helmed by Dennis Connor who in the Defender Trials defeated Courageous’s bid to become the first yacht to defend the America’s Cup a record third time. The Cup was subsequently lost for the Club in the most exciting America’s Cup match in the history of the trophy. The races were tied up 3 all after a late two back to back wins by Alan Bond’s winged keel Australia II. In what was appropriately called the “Race of the Century”, Liberty led convincingly the final race until the penultimate leg when it was passed by Australia II, which sailed on to win the America’s Cup and into the pages of sporting legend. Alinghi’s Grant Simmer was the navigator that day on Australia II.
Hamish Ross, Alinghi General Counsel and America’s Cup Historian