America's Cup: 'History set to repeat itself'

The deciding race in what will be the longest America's Cup in its 162-year history is taking place today.

ac_finishline.jpg

The Australia II crew. (Image courtesy of John Longley)

It comes 30 years to the day of another great sporting comeback, Australia II's win over America's yacht, Liberty. The Australians rallied from 3-1 down to win that series in 1983.

John Longley was the project manager on Australia II in 1983, when Australia ended America's 132-year winning streak.

Dennis Conner, 'Mr. America’s Cup' lost to Australian skipper John Bertrand on his radically-designed winged keel that gave the 12-metre class boat superior speed under most conditions.

Speaking ahead of the deciding race, Mr Longley says we could well see history repeat itself.

"It could all well be repeated 30 years to the day." 

"The Americans are trying to outdo us (Australia's 1983 comeback). We came back from 3-1 down. And here they are coming back from effectively 8-1 down.

"And it's the most amazing event - from a sporting point of view, a match racing point of view, from a technological point of view and the visual point of view.  To see boats flashing across San Francisco Bay at the speeds they're doing. And it's just quite extraordinary."

Listen to the full interview with John Longley below.
John Longley says he knows precisely the feeling of coming from behind to enact one of sport's greatest comebacks.

"The feeling when we crossed the line was purely one of absolute initial relief.

"When you're campaigning for so long. There are not so many other sporting events where you're at it day in and day out. In six months we had five days off...You sort of get into a hardened mental place. And it's almost euphoric, you can't let go.

"Obviously we were absolutely delighted, but (the feeling) was relief. Relief that we hadn't lost. "

He says 30 years on, the key lesson from the 1983 win is the teambuilding spirit and ethos that was on display.

"The spirit, the ethos of what we are. We knew exactly who we were and what we stood for. And I think that is a strong feeling and power that can be applied to many things."  


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2 min read

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By Biwa Kwan

Source: SBS


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