September 26th 1983 – from the spectator fleet

by Ian 'Stack' Hudson on 26 Sep 2008 Veteran sailor Ian ‘Stack’ Hudson provided the rope clutches used on Australia II. 'Ben Bob' (Bob Miller-Ben Lexcen) had them modified so the crew could release them with a foot as they crossed the boat.

Stack recalls the regatta that stopped the nation.

'I guess it wasn't just the last race - and we could all remember Gretel II - but it was the tension which emanated from the NYYC in the lead up - for me also, it was the excitement of following the trials on Port Phillip in a mate's Grand Banks - and going way back to Yanchep Sun City with Bondy and Gilbert with the original Australia - still, as you know, here in Airlie (Beach).

The whole regatta - down one on 14 Sept, down 2 the next day, then a lay day, then Saturday 17 Sept, six minutes ahead and the time runs out, still 2 down. Sunday 18, remembering the previous day, we all thought was the turning point - we whipped them. 2:1 Then another lay day.

So with an amount of trepidation, on to the ferry on Tuesday 20 for the fourth race.

Incidentally, on the ferry each day were a mob of Aussies, including Jack and June Linacre, Garry's parents. Jack had a great love for Bloody Mary's to start each day on the water, but could not handle the Bloody Mary mix the Yanks served on the ferry, so, each night ashore, Jack conjured up a bloody Mary mix concentrate, Tabasco, Worcester sauce, horseradish etc, and we tipped that in the top, mixed with celery sticks which June brought on board. You beauty!!!!!

At the end of the day, we needed more than Bloody Mary’s......... How the hell could we come back from 3:1?

But, Aero (John Bertrand- was an aeronautical engineer- hence the nick name) and the boys did it - two days in a row, 21 and 22 September, we beat Liberty and beat it handsomely, particularly in Race 6. Now 3:3 - never been done in the history of the America's Cup.

Then another lay day - all this adding to the frazzled nerves.

Race 7 - September 24 - a Saturday, and Grand Final Day back in Oz, Hawthorn vs. Essendon, my team. What wind there was, was all over the place, but, having fired the 10 minute gun, a race was called. Two minutes to the start, up goes the postponement for the day.

The Yanks then called another lay day. I had ideas to rent a motel room in Providence on the mainland, since there was no cable TV on the island, take a whole bunch of Aussies in and watch the Grand Final. But it all became too hard, and thankfully Hawthorn absolutely walloped Essendon, which is why I still hate Hawthorn...............

Monday 26 September, and day 13 of the regatta, with everyone in town scrambling to extend their accommodation, plus me ringing business associates putting off meetings to later.........

Again a light day, with sea mist, 8 to 10 knots.

A couple of Bloody Mary’s ... make or break day, but with a certain confidence since we were coming good at the end of the regatta.

Aero was late at the start, not by much, and away they went to the top mark, then, throwing away the bloody rule book of match racing, Aero didn't cover. Unbelievable.

A second or third Bloody Mary...........Worse at the gybe mark, then Aero called up Hughie’s (Treharne) little chute.

At the bottom mark for the first time, a glimmer of hope, we halved the lead.

At the top mark the second time - the Aussies on board were bereft, devastated - Aero was further back than full back.

I'd had enough. I went and sulked on the leeward side of the ferry.

Stuff the race, stuff Aero.

Then, midway on the downwind leg, someone pointed to the TV on board - the boats are close.

B.... me, but Aero's on port and must give way, unless???????????

A miracle has occurred and it's Hughie’s little chute, with the same man calling the shots. Connor slips under the stern.

Our heart's were literally in our mouths for the last work. Surely Aero won't make the same mistake again and not cover.

He didn't and although it was a huge tacking duel, Aero never let Connor in and America's Cup history was made.'