Australia II 12 KA 6

Design and Construction

Australia II was launched in 1982 and designed by Ben Lexcen, working in association with Johan Valentijn, for Alan Bond’s Royal Perth Yacht Club challenge. The yacht was built by Steve Ward in Perth, Western Australia.

Lexcen’s design was revolutionary for its time, featuring a winged keel that dramatically lowered the center of gravity, improving balance, stability, and upwind performance. The hull also had a reduced waterline length and fine forward sections that enhanced agility in lighter airs. Combined with innovative features such as Kevlar running rigging, a carbon-fiber boom, and advanced vertical sail profiles, Australia II was faster, more maneuverable, and more responsive than her predecessors.

While the “winged keel” design was initially kept secret beneath a canvas cover, its existence soon became the focus of intense controversy. The New York Yacht Club questioned whether the keel violated the America’s Cup nationality rule, which required the challenging yacht to be designed by citizens of its own country. After review, the keel was declared legal, allowing Australia II to compete.

The 1983 America’s Cup

In 1983, Australia II represented the Royal Perth Yacht Club in the 25th defense of the America’s Cup, sailed off Newport, Rhode Island. Under skipper John Bertrand, the team faced the American defender Liberty (US-40), helmed by Dennis Conner.

After falling behind 3-1 in the best-of-seven series, Australia II mounted a dramatic comeback, winning three consecutive races to claim the Cup 4-3 on September 26, 1983. The victory ended 132 years of uninterrupted American dominance, marking the first time in history that the America’s Cup left the United States.

The triumph captured global attention and became a defining moment in Australian sporting history. The Boxing Kangaroo flag became the campaign’s symbol, and the team’s unofficial anthem, “Down Under” by Men at Work, blared across the nation as celebrations erupted from Fremantle to Sydney.

Controversy and Legacy

The winged keel continued to generate debate long after the victory. In later years, Dutch naval architect Peter van Oossanen claimed partial credit for the keel’s hydrodynamic development during model testing at the Delft University facility, though both John Bertrand and project manager John Longley have consistently affirmed that the concept and design were Lexcen’s.

Despite lingering speculation, Australia II remains universally recognized as a triumph of Australian design innovation and teamwork. Ben Lexcen’s achievement reshaped modern yacht design and cemented his place among the great naval architects of the 20th century.

After the Cup

Following the 1983 campaign, Australia II was purchased by the Australian Government and placed on public display. She was first exhibited at the Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney before being transferred to the Western Australian Maritime Museum in Fremantle, where she remains a centerpiece of the collection.

For the 150th anniversary of the America’s Cup in 2001, Australia II was shipped to the Isle of Wight, where she reunited with her original crew for commemorative regattas. She was then returned to Fremantle, where she stands today as one of the most significant sailing yachts in the world.

Significance

Australia II’s victory in 1983 was not only a technical triumph but also a cultural milestone. It demonstrated that bold innovation, meticulous design, and determined teamwork could overturn more than a century of sporting tradition.

To this day, Australia II (KA-6) represents the spirit of ingenuity and persistence that defines the 12 Metre Class and remains one of the most celebrated yachts in maritime history.