Ep 21 - 1987 Admiral’s Cup

In 1987 New Zealand won the Admiral's Cup, considered the world championships of keelboat sailing, for the first and only time. It was something New Zealand had been chasing since the mid-1970s and in 1987 it all came together through a combination of good designs, good boats, good team culture and good sailors. The one-tonner Propaganda was the top boat at the regatta and had a top-class crew including Peter Lester on helm and Ross Field on main sheet. Peter and Ross reminisce about the brutal nature of the New Zealand trials, racing in the Solent and the famous Fastnet Race, what the win meant to sailing in this country and what it did for the careers of those involved. They also look back on the personal rivalries, like the one between Brad Butterworth and Lawrie Smith, and controversies, particularly over allegations of cheating by the British team, and also tell the stories of their worst wipeouts ever.