18 volunteer sailing crew members of the Australian 12m Historic Trust braved the very worst of Sydney’s weather, Saturday 11th February 2012, completing their historic six month delivery of Australia’s America’s Cup warhorses KA5 Australia and KA14 Steak n Kidney. The two racing icons were greeted at Sydney Heads by the NSW Water Police and the 1995 America’s Cup challenger, AUS21 Spirit, who braved the wintery conditions to escort the arriving vessels.

The two 12m challengers are veterans of Australia’s famed pursuit of the America’s Cup in the 1980′s. KA5 Australia, owned by Alan Bond, challenged for the cup in 1977 and 1980 in Newport USA with skipper Sir James Hardy at the helm. Whilst Sydney businessman Syd Fisher’s KA14 Steak N Kidney was built for the 1987 America’s Cup defence in Freemantle, Western Australia.

Both yachts were acquired by the Australian 12m Historic Trust, having spent the past 8 years unused in Airlie Beach Queensland. The trust, lead by Sydney businessman Benjamin Morgan, has spent the past 6 months refurbishing and restoring the two vessels.

“Our restoration volunteers and sailing crews have done a wonderful job. Both yachts are a tribute to the dedication and passion our membership promotes and engages, they should all be very proud of what they have achieved.”, said Australian 12′s President, Benjamin Morgan.

“We could not have succeeded in bringing these two yachts back to Sydney without the support and understanding of our patrons and sponsors. On behalf of our membership and the public, I would like to thank those that have supported the activities to date”, he said.

The magnificent 12′s are now berthed at the Heritage Pontoon in Darling Harbour where they are on show as part of the Australian National Maritime Museum’s floating collection. Guided tours of the two vessels are available for the public between 10am and 2pm, commencing thursday 16th Feb 2012. Visitors also have the opportunity to take part in 12m America’s Cup sailing experiences on Sydney Harbour. Persons wishing to book should contact: 0415 577 724 or 0414 462 663 or visit: www.australian12m.com

“The Australian National Maritime Museum’s facilities at Darling Harbour are simply world class. We are very proud to have been given the opportunity to showcase the Australian 12′s alongside the museum’s floating collection. I would encourage anyone who has an interest to visit the Museum and to come and meet the Australian 12′s team and vessels.”, he said.

The two yachts will remain on show in Darling Harbour, Sydney, until the 10th March 2012, when they will set sail for Wollongong, to participate in a range of America’s Cup demonstration matches to be held off North Wollongong Beach. Both vessels are proudly sponsored by Tourism Wollongong and will become regular attractions of the southern city.

KA5 Australia was skippered by Trust President, Benjamin Morgan and crewed by Skippered by members Frank Lagudi, Matthew Smith, Andrew McLeod, Jim Bignal, Greg Ackman, Edward Barcinski, Warren Hartwick and Steve McGough whilst KA14 Steak n Kidney was skippered by Trust Treasurer, Jay Lazarus and crewed by members Rodney Page, Malcolm Tretter, Gary Clubley, David Hill, Tony Scopellitti, John Lewis, Bella Cropper and Alan Donaldson.

Australian 12′s President Benjamin Morgan (left) and member Andrew McLeod (right) at the helm of KA5 Australia.

At 5:45pm, Saturday 11th February 2012, the KA5 Australia skippered by Trust President Benjamin Morgan and KA14 Steak N Kidney, skippered by Trust Treasurer Jay Lazarus, entered Sydney Heads, bringing to a close six months of refits, restoration and delivery sailing.  Both vessels on crossing the Sydney Heads finish line had sailed 800 nautical miles since their departure from Airlie Beach, Queensland.

The Newcastle to Sydney delivery leg proved a challenging stage, with crews on both KA5 and KA14 experiencing all four seasons in one day!  Having been delayed in Newcastle due to a faulty alternator on Australia, both teams departed Newcastle some 3 hours behind schedule.  The delay proved costly, with both vessels arriving abeam Curl Curl just as a seriously large thunder system moved in.  Keeping the pace up, both vessels raced for the protection of Sydney Heads, however, luck was not on the side of the KA5 Australia crew, with Mainsail equipment failures forcing the team to drop sail 6 miles short of north head.

KA14 Steak N Kidney continued on under full sail, whilst the KA5 Australia was towed into Sydney Harbour by the New South Wales Water Police.  Sad that they did not finish the leg under full sail, it did not stop the crew from popping a celebratory bottle of champagne as the KA5 crossed through the heads.  Joining in on the action were the Sydney Sailing crew on board of AUS21 Spirit, the 1995 America’s Cup challenger.

All three vessels made their way through to the Sydney Harbour Bridge, from where the KA5 and KA14 made way for the Australian National Maritime Museum.

Congratulations to the following crew members for taking part in this historic event.

KA5 Australia - Skippered by Benjamin Morgan. Crew: Frank Lagudi, Matthew Smith, Andrew McLeod, Jim Bignal, Greg Ackman, Edward Barcinski, Warren Hartwick, Steve McGough

KA14 Steak N Kidney - Skippered by Jay Lazarus.  Crew: Rodney Page, Malcolm Tretter, Gary Clubley, David Hill, Tony Scopellitti, John Lewis, Bella Cropper, Alan Donaldson

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plYzgjUGI1E

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1DfAtMkbUs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FB_LXEEr208

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HjFFDHzoJI

Two of Australia’s legendary 12 metre America’s Cup racing yachts KA5 Australia and KA14 Steak n Kidney will arrive into Sydney Harbour on Saturday the 11th February 2012.  The arrival will mark the completion of a six month recovery effort which has seen the yachts visit Mackay, Keppel Bay, Gladstone, Mooloolaba, Brisbane, Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie, Nelsons Bay and Newcastle.

The two yachts will arrive outside of Sydney Heads between 3:00pm and 4:30pm on Saturday 11th February and will be joined by the 1995 America’s Cup challenger, Spirit.  All three historic yachts will make their way to the Sydney Harbour Bridge and onward to the Australian National Maritime Museum.

Both yachts will go on display at the Australian National Maritime Museum and will also be available for public sailing experiences.

The two racing icons are warhorses of Australia’s many challenges in the famed America’s Cup during the 1970’s and 1980’s.  They were constructed under the 12 metre design rule and represent an era of America’s Cup racing when the competing yachts were elegant and fast.

KA5 Australia, owned and commissioned by Alan Bond, was his 1977 and 1980 America’s Cup challenger and was helmed by Sir James Gilbert Hardy.  It was also the springboard for Australian yachting icon John Bertrand, who would go on to win the America’s Cup skippering KA5′s sister ship, KA6 Australia II.  Whilst KA14 Steak n Kidney belonged to Sydney businessman Syd FIsher and was launched and campaigned for the 1987 America’s Cup Defence trials in Freemantle, Western Australia.

Both yachts are now owned and operated by the Australian 12m Historic Trust, an all volunteer organisation formed for the purpose of acquiring, restoring and preserving Australia’s former 12 metre racing yachts.

“There are but a handful of these beautiful 12m racing yachts left in Australia.  Almost all of them are now in the hands of overseas collectors and are raced on the International 12m racing scene in Europe and the Unites States.”, said Benjamin Morgan , Trust President.

The Australian 12m Historic Trust and its team of volunteers have spent the past six months refitting and restoring the two vessels in preparation for their historic voyage home to Sydney and Wollongong.

“This has been both an exciting and challenging project, both yachts had been laid up unused for 8 years with much deterioration.  This presented a unique array of challenges which have needed to be overcome to permit the safe delivery.”, Benjamin Morgan said.

“We could undertake what we are doing without the support and understanding of our volunteers and our sponsors and patrons.  As an all volunteer organisation, we rely on the support of those within the community, who appreciate and understand the importance of saving our modern history.”, he said.

“Both yachts are wrapped in history, to have saved them is sensational.  To be custodians of such great Australian history is a real privilege.”, Benjamin Morgan said.

“Our organisation is open to all.  If you have an interest in yachting, racing or our maritime history, I would encourage you to make contact and become involved.”, he said.

The Australian 12m Historic Trust is an all volunteer organisation.  You can become a member by
visiting:  http://www.australian12m.com or by contacting us on mobile; 0415 577 724.

Just short of Point Byron the KA5 team were becalmed, requiring an 18 hour diesel run before winds returned.  Following which storm conditions developed just north of Coffs Harbour, dictating a quick dash for the security of the Coffs Harbour break wall at 1am in the morning.

The Coffs Harbour to Brisbane race just happened to be on at this time, with the Coffs Harbour International Marina full up.  With this sad news in hand, the crew put back to sea and endured a difficult night of storms, arriving at Port Macquarie the following afternoon at 4:30pm.

With an at sea crew change made, the fresh KA5 team set off from Port Macquarie and were greeted on their departure by a pod of 6-9 dolphins!  See the video below.  Into the evening the weather deteriorated, resulting in a significant weather front just to the east of Nelsons Bay.  Wind speeds picked up to in excess of 35 knots requiring a quick dash for the sanctuary of Nelsons Bay.

Several hours later, the team put back to sea and made the final 30 nautical mile leg between Nelsons Bay and Newcastle, arriving at 6pm.  Wet, cold and exhausted by the 5 day ordeal.

With the KA5 Australia now safely berthed at the Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club, the KA5 delivery crew will be looking forward to some cold beers and hot meals!

Well done guys!

The two yachts are warhorses of Australia’s many challenges in the famed America’s Cup.  Constructed to meet the design rule of the 12 metre class the two yachts represent an era of America’s Cup racing when the competing yachts were designed to be both elegant and fast.

Both yachts have been acquired by the Australian 12m Historic Trust which was formed for the purpose of acquiring, restoring and preserving Australia’s former America’s Cup 12 metre rule racing yachts.  The trust is an all volunteer organisation, based in Sydney and is led by trust president Benjamin Morgan.  ”It’s quite a privilege to be in a position to participate on such a historic venture and is also very challenging. You cant help but feel we are custodians to some very important pieces of history and I know I speak on behalf of our volunteer members in saying we are all very proud to be helping save these yachts”, he said.

Both yachts had been previously in port at Mooloolaba on the sunshine coast, sponsored by the Mooloolaba Yacht Club (MYC) at the wharf.  During the three day stay, both yachts took part in an America’s Cup experience giving locals and the media an opportunity to see the two icons in action.   The days activities were featured on both Channel 7 and Channel 9 news.

MYC members also took part in the delivery sail between Mooloolaba and Brisbane with the KA-5 Australia taking line-honours on arrival to the Brisbane River.  With the 1983 America’s Cup battle song “I come from a land downunder” in full song, the crew of the KA-5 Australia were greeted by passengers aboard the departing cruise ship, Rhapsody of the Seas, chanting “Ozzie Ozzie Ozzie” and giving a big thumbs up to all aboard!

The two yachts are on display at the Brisbane Rivergate Marina and the public are welcome to come down to inspect across this weekend.

“Our crews will be on hand to give visitors the opportunity to inspect the two yachts and we welcome anyone who has an interest in the America’s Cup and in yacht racing to come see them.”, he said.

The two yachts have been sponsored by Tourism Wollongong and feature bold forestay flags carrying the “We Love the Gong” campaign messaging.

Membership to the Australian 12m Historic Trust is open to all persons.  Should you have an interest in sailing, yacht restoration or history, you are invited to make contact.

Australia’s 12M America’s Cup ladies of old, Australia and Steak ‘N Kidney stopped briefly in Mooloolaba on their way south to their new home in Sydney, giving the members of Mooloolaba Yacht Club a once-in-a-lifetime chance to sail aboard these two historic vessels.

The two 19 metre KA-5 Australia & KA-14 Steak ‘N Kidney are warhorses of Australia’s many challenges in the famed America’s Cup. They were constructed under the old design rule of 12 Meters and represented an era of America’s Cup racing when the competing yachts were designed to be elegant and fast.

Both yachts are now owned by the Australian 12m Historic Trust which was formed for the purposes of acquiring, restoring and preserving Australia’s former America’s Cup 12 Meter Rule racing yachts.

Led by trust president Ben Morgan, two classic yachts have been acquired so far – the 1977 and 1980 America’s Cup challenger KA-5 Australia and the 1987 America’s Cup KA-14 Steak n Kidney.

Both yachts resided derelict at Airlie Beach for several years and after having been used for day charter several years earlier.

On purchasing the yachts, Morgan and his volunteer team put the yachts through an intensive two- month refit in preparation for their voyage from Mackay Harbour via Sydney and ultimately to their new home of Wollongong. As the yachts travel south Morgan has arranged for them to be available for the public to view and for local sailors to enjoy a short day sail or join in on one of the delivery stages.

Steak ‘N Kidney skipper Jay Lazarus gives final instructions to members of his crew.

The yachts have been in Mooloolaba this week, hosted by Mooloolaba Yacht Club at The Wharf. While there Australian 12M Historic Trust president, Benjamin Morgan, organised for club members to hop on board and fulfil their dream of sailing a classic America’s Cup yacht.

Even though they think they are seasoned salties, MYC Rear-Commodore Sailing, MYC Executive Member David Hawthorne and John Cooke, could not contain their excitement on being able to sail aboard Australia on their home waters.

Owned by the Alan Bond and designed using the latest technology and innovative design concepts off the drawing board of Ben Lexcen, Australia won its right to challenge for the America’s Cup in the 1977 series, held off Newport on Rhode Island, USA.

Up against the USA’s yacht, Courageous, Australia was defeated in all four races. She was fast and sailed well, but couldn’t make a dint in the American’s slick defence.

Late in 1979 Australia underwent extensive modifications in readiness for the 1980 America’s Cup. Skippered by Sir James Hardy, Australia beat out three other contenders to win the right to again challenge for the America’s Cup. On the race course and up against the USA’s newest 12M defender, Freedom, Australia was beaten again losing four aces to one.

During the early 80s Australia was used by the British as a trialling boat before Syd Fischer bought her in 1985 to use as a trial horse against in 1987 challenger, Steak ‘N Kidney.

Steak ‘N Kidney was one of the several Australian boats that raced for the right to represent Australia in its defence of the America’s Cup in Perth in 1987

The boat proved to be very fast, but the syndicate lacked funds. Their campaign program was too late to be competitive and as a result the boat was short on the latest sails and good crew. She was one of the last 12 Meter Rule yachts ever designed and many have agreed since that, she was one of the fastest.

Steak ‘N Kidney was designed by Peter Cole, built by Consolidated Marine and owned by Sydney-based ocean racing legend, Syd Fischer.

This classic 12M has been operating as a 25 passenger charter vessel, match racing against 1977 challenger, ‘Australia.’ In 2004 she was refitted for charter and repainted to original colors of white and pale blue.

For more information on the yachts, go http://www.australian12m.com/

*Article and images supplied by Tracey Johnstone & Sail-world.com

The KA-5 Australia and KA-14 Steak n Kidney have arrived at the Mooloolaba Yacht Club following a two day sail from Gladstone Marina. Both vessels made the 230 nautical mile journey following the beautiful Fraser Island coastline leading down to the Mooloolaba headland.

Members of the Mooloolaba Yacht Club were on hand to greet the two yachts, berthing at the Wharf complex. Situated on the Mooloola River the wharf complex is home to the Mooloolaba Yacht Club who holds a special connection with the America’s Cup races of the 1980′s.

“From the very first announcement of our venture, the Mooloolaba Yacht Club expressed their sincere invitation for our two historic yachts and crews to visit. Their enthusiasm and connection with the America’s Cup makes this stop on our journey a very special one.”, said the Australian 12m Historic Trust President, Mr Benjamin Morgan.

“It has been a very warm welcoming to Mooloolaba and you cant help but feel right at home. MYC members and locals alike have taken the time to visit and to express their support for preserving history – something we are all very humbled by.”, he said.

Whilst in port at Mooloolaba the KA-5 Australia and KA-14 Steak n Kidney will take part in a crew training event, which will be held on Wednesday the 15th December 2011. The event will be held of the beaches of Mooloolaba and will provide an ideal opportunity to see the two yachts in action.

Interested persons are invited to make their way to the beaches between 9:30 and 12:30 lunchtime on Wednesday 15th December. Don’t forget your cameras as this will be a unique opportunity to see what 12 metre America’s Cup racing was all about!

Persons seeking to support the Australian 12m Historic Trust whilst in port at Mooloolaba can make contact via our website: www.australian12m.com or contact on 0415 577 724 or 0414 462 663

Whilst the shipyard refit has been underway, the professional team at Marlin Marine have been busy inspecting Australia’s rod rigging.  It is planned that the mast and rigging will be reinstalled between Wednesday and Thursday of this week.

Many thanks also go out to the enthusiastic team from Any Signs and Printing (ASAP) Mackay who carefully repaired the green and gold Australia stripes!  Well done guys and thank you!

“It has been a very exciting milestone to see Australia back in the water.  Our teams have worked tirelessly over the past 6 weeks to prepare our two historic yachts for their voyage home.   Fingers crossed we can now have the mast and rigging ready in time for our planned 7 November departure from Mackay.”, said Benjamin Morgan, Australian 12m Historic Trust President.

For more information, please contact Mr Benjamin Morgan 0415 577 724.

Thank you to the teachers and children of the St Johns Prep School for your visit!