1.
SV Australian coastline
0.03

2.
AV Australia in practice (3 shots)
0.42

3.
AV Gretel, I, Gretel II and Australia
0.45

4.
AV Australia
0.48

5.
SV PAN Gretel I, Gretel II, and Australia
0.53

6.
AV Australia
1.04

7.
AVs Australia (2 shots)
1.34



Initials BB/2137 TA/PN/BB/2147



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: 'Australia' -- Australia's new challenger for the America's cup 12-metre yacht race -- the been having her first trials on Yanchep Sound, near Perth.

For months the boat's owner Perth Millionaire Alan Bond had 'Australia' guarded by dogs and men in a windowless shed -- but now the new yacht's secrets are out.

Skipper John Cunao said he was happy with the boat's performance against Gretel I and Gretel II. Three years ago Gretel II was probably the fastest 12 metre yacht in the world.

Downwind 'Australia' surged away from both boats. Designer Bob Miller has gone for a fast yacht off the wind on the basis that downwind sailing decides match racing, and the spoon-like bow and scooped away forefoot seemed to be achieving his aim of a shorter but more effective sailing waterline.

The sails are arranged in four cockpits -- two large ones and two one-man cockpits on opposite sides of the boat.

The United States has won the America's cup every year since 1851, so to qualify to race the Americans, 'Australia' must win next year's challenger round against the British and French. Ironically 74-year-old South australian John Livingston is backing the British boat.

Australia is the first challenger to be completed, but she will not be officially christened until next year and Mr. Bond has said he may give the boat another name.

SYNOPSIS: On Yanchep Sound off the Western Australian coast, Australia's new challenger for the America's Cup twelve metre yacht race has been having her first trials. The boat, called Australia, was guarded by dogs and men in a windowless shed in the months before Perth millionaire Alan Bond decided to put the boat through its paces.

Designer Bob Miller went for a fast yacht off the wind on the basis that downwind sailing decides match racing. He designed the spoon-like bown and scooped away forefoot, to give a shorter but more effective waterline under sail.

Australia could hardly have had stiffer opposition for her debut. Gretel One and Gretel Two sailed against her. Three years ago Gretel two was probably the fastest twelve metre boat in the world, but downwind Australia surged away from both boats. Skipper John Cuneo was well pleased.

America have won the cup every year since eighteen fifty-one, so to qualify to race against the Americans, Australia must win next year's challenge round against the British and French. Ironically South Australian John Livingston is backing the British boat. Australia is the first challenger to be completed but she will not be officially christened until next year and Mr. Bond has said he may give the boat another name.