Understandably for a country responsible for ending the Americans’ 132-year-old winning streak in the America’s Cup, the media output from Team Australia’s announcement as a challenger for the 38th America’s Cup featured plenty of fond reminiscence about the euphoric nationwide celebrations that followed Australia II’s fateful 1983 victory over the American Defender Liberty.
Now, 43 years later, Australia are back for another tilt at sailing’s oldest and most prestigious competition. Given how late their entry is and the fact that they are planning to use a boat that was used – admittedly to very good effect – two full Cup cycles ago, it would be easy to dismiss the Aussies as simply there to make up the numbers – at least for this 38th go around.
In reality, although the team has only just been announced, plenty has been going on in the background and lots of groundwork has already been done to make sure Team Australia makes a credible return to the America’s Cup.