The upset that made a nation skip work and a billionaire cry on live TV.
Australian sport documentary about the first ever winning of the America's Cup by a non-US country. Shows the background story of the preparation, design, construction, testing, and trials of Australia's winning yacht, the Australia II. Documents the preliminary races, elimination of British yacht Victory '83 and the final main race itself where Australia is victorious over the Americans on 26 September 1983.
Direction
Harvey Spencer captures pure national hysteria with archival precision.
Writing
Narration treats yacht design like a heist movie.
Director
Harvey Spencer
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Prime Minister Bob Hawke famously declared 'any boss who sacks anyone for not turning up today is a bum' after the win—cementing this as Australia's unofficial second independence day.
The New York Yacht Club held the cup for 132 consecutive years; their losing streak began 20 minutes after this race finished, and they immediately tried to disqualify Australia II's revolutionary winged keel.
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