Self-made man, businessman magnate
& yachting sponsor…
by © Chevalier-Taglang 2015
If there is one thing the world of yachting should keep one
positive memory of Alan Bond – Bondy – it would be his fortitude to win the
America’s Cup.
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| Australia II (1983, Ben Lexcen's design) © François Chevalier 2015 |
In 1974, Alan
Bond, on behalf of the Royal Perth Yacht Club, commissioned Bob Miller – Ben
Lexcen – to design his first challenger, the twelve meter boat Southern Cross.
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| Alan Bond © Joe Greenberg |
Prior to
1974 Alan Bond had raced successfully in all oceans on yachts such as Panamuna, Apollo and Apollo II, the
latter designed by Miller.
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| Bond first started making saying news in 1970 as owner & skipper of the 18-meter sloop Apollo (1969 Bob Miller - Ben Lexcen - design) © François Chevalier 2011 |
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| Apollo - Lines © François Chevalier 2011 |
For his foray into the Cup, Bondy deployed major
ressources. He repurchased Gretel
(1962) and Gretel II (1970), then
asked to Bob Miller to design a new Twelve.
The challenger was first called Australis, then Avenger or Waltzing Mathilda;
she was finally christened Southern Cross on January 12, 1974.
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| Sail plan of Southern Cross (1974, Bob Miller/Ben Lexcen design) © François Chevalier |
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| Lines of Southern Cross 1974, Bob Miller/Ben Lexcen design) © François Chevalier |
After numerous tests against models of Gretel
and Gretel II, Bob designed the final
lines and John Bertrand drafted the rigging! The boat was built in aluminium at
the Halvorsen, Morson & Growland yard at Terry Hills, NSW, and delivered by
truck to Yanchep Sun City.
Throughout the austral summer of 1973-74, the crews trained firstly off Perth with the two Gretel’s, in races between the 1972 Dragon Class Olymic Champion, John Cueno, and veteran Jim Hardy.
They were then joined by Southern Cross. John Cueno was given the helm of the new boat and Jim Hardy steered Gretel II. Training continued between Gretel II and Cross off Newport. Finally, Jim Hardy became official skipper of Southern Cross.
Throughout the austral summer of 1973-74, the crews trained firstly off Perth with the two Gretel’s, in races between the 1972 Dragon Class Olymic Champion, John Cueno, and veteran Jim Hardy.
They were then joined by Southern Cross. John Cueno was given the helm of the new boat and Jim Hardy steered Gretel II. Training continued between Gretel II and Cross off Newport. Finally, Jim Hardy became official skipper of Southern Cross.
Southern Cross won the challenger selection (defeating Baron
Bich’s France) but was severly beatten
by the defender of the America’s Cup 1974, Courageaous…
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| Sail plan of Australia (1977, Ben Lexcen's design) © François Chevalier |
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| Lines of Australia, 1977 version. © François Chevalier |
After three
unsucessful attempts, Southern Cross
in 1974, Australia in 1977, again Australia (altered) in 1980, Alan Bond’s
determination would pay…
In 1983, Australia II, designed by Ben Lexcen (ex-Bob Miller), helmed by John Bertrand, won the Cup against Liberty.
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| Sail plan of Australia, 1980 version... © François Chevalier |
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| Lines of Australia, 1980 version... © François Chevalier |
In 1983, Australia II, designed by Ben Lexcen (ex-Bob Miller), helmed by John Bertrand, won the Cup against Liberty.
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| Sail plan of Australia II (1983, Ben Lexcen's design) © François Chevalier |
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| Lines of Australia II (1983, Ben Lexcen's design) © François Chevalier |
The
legendary trophy gained new momentum.
By François Chevalier & Jacques Taglang
Hello there!
RépondreSupprimerI was wondering if the blog owner might be able to help out a lost aerospace doctoral student? I'm working on a personal project to build a model of the Australia II hull for my dad, who used to have a sort of 'painted schematic' of the ship which was unfortunately lost in a move. Being an Australian in Washington D.C. when the yacht took the America's Cup (and also being a sailing fanatic) the yacht holds a special place for him.
Backstory aside, the first step for me is to construct a CAD model of the hull. The drawing of the hull lines in this post is the best schematic I've been able to find after scouring the internet, approved by the hull designer himself and I assume, out of the America's Cup Yacht Designs, 1851 to 1986 book (so it's definitely a good enough source for my purposes!)
But, I'm afraid I can't quite make out most of the numbers and markings. Is there any chance of obtaining a higher resolution version of the image?
Thank you for your time,
Lachlan