America's Cup '83 - The Legacy of Challenge 12 remembered
by Teri Dodds on 30 Sep 2013
Challenge 12, America’s Cup 1983 - Commemorative Dinner Teri Dodds
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This past month, around our nation, sailor's and non-sailor's have been up at the small hours watching on their televisions in awe, of the America's Cup racing, in San Francisco. As it reached it's tremendous climax of the final decider last Thursday, we were all reminded of what occurred some 30 years prior, coincidentally on the same date, when Australia II crossed the line to win the America's Cup in 1983.
Back in 1983, many forget that Australia had three boats contending for the Cup, Sydney based Advance and Melbourne based Challenge 12, with the latter playing a significant role in Australia II's historic victory. The bowman of Challenge 12, Damien Fewster replaced Scott McAllister on Australia II when he broke his arm.
'Exceptionally fast in the hands of a highly talented, motivated and sharply focused crew, Challenge 12 was bristling with potential', wrote journalist Bruce Stannard, who covered the 1983 America's Cup series for the ABC and The Age.
A 30th Anniversary Commemorative dinner of Challenge 12's crew, officials and support crew involved in the campaign shared stories of their experiences at the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria in Williamstown, Melbourne, last Friday.
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