In 1983, a unique set of conditions sent Australia into a frenzy over a yacht race.

Australia II, owned by the mining magnate Alan Bond, had a revolutionary winged keel designed by famed yachtsman and marine architect Ben Lexcen. With his design, the boat emerged as a serious challenger for the America’s Cup. After a ding-dong battle, Australia II won the series by a matter of seconds – and the home crowd went wild.

It’s little wonder that the America’s Cup saga was made into a miniseries (The Challenge) only three years later. It had it all: wealth, glitz, class conflict, an underdog, and its own spy drama.

This story from Network 10’s Eyewitness News details how a Canadian spy was caught trying to dive beneath Australia II’s ‘keel shroud’ with a camera. He was chased down by members of the Australia II team and taken to court, still wearing his wetsuit.

When this story made national news, it showed just how fiercely Australia had rallied behind Australia II – and how invested viewers were in the outcome. As Syndicate Manager Warren Jones insisted, ‘It’s not just a sporting event ... it’s nation on nation, businessman on businessman.’