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Replica Model Ships
  
     

Australia 2. 40"

Item  #  AUS-35

Australia 2. 40"
 
  • Requires minor assembly.  Clip on the hooks easily.  There is no rigging to tie and it takes just a few minutes.
  • 40" H x 5" W x 30" L.  5 Lbs.
  • Plank on frame construction (a painstaking process where each individual plank is added to the hull of the ship model one at a time).
  • Built with rare, high quality woods.
  • Hand painted the actual colors of Australia 2 yacht.
  • Fabric sails with detailed stitching.
  • No plastic parts.
  • To build this model ship, extensive research was done using various sources such as museums, drawings, copies of original plans and photos of the actual yacht.

 
 
Designed by Ben Lexcen, built by Stephan Ward, owned by Alan Bond and helmed by John Bertrand, the Australia II featured an innovative winged keel design developed by Lexcen. This helped to make it very fast and maneuverable in many conditions, and was the most notable and controversial design feature of the boat. During the summer of 1983, as selection trials took place for the Cup difference that autumn, it was unclear whether the keel design was legal within the strict rules governing the 12-metre class.

Questions also surrounded the Dutch involvement in the design of the keel, which under the rules had to be designed by an Australian. The keel design was eventually confirmed as legal while the keel origin controversy remains unanswered. Despite being the first 12-metre to sport the new design, Australia II was not the first boat to have a winged keel, though her success did much to make the concept popular.

Also helping the Australians was new sail technology, finally equaling or exceeding that of the Americans. Further, Bertrand made sure he and his crew was trained and refined to execute at the highest levels despite the pressure of this historical match up.


America's Cup

Australia II, bearing sail number KA6, represented the Royal Perth Yacht Club of Australia in its September 1983 challenge for the America's Cup. The defender, the New York Yacht Club, had held the cup since 1851, dominating challengers and sustaining the longest winning streak in sport.

The Australia II, skippered by John Bertrand, faced Dennis Conner sailing the 12-metre Liberty in the ocean off Newport, Rhode Island. Australia II came from behind to prevail 4 races to 3. The victory on September 26, 1983 was a landmark event for the nation of Australia, not to mention the Royal Perth Yacht Club, and it eventually earned Australia II the ABC's Wide World of Sports Athlete of the Year for 1983
     
     
 Australia 2. 40" $249.95
     
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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