Albany 2026: Albany Maritime Foundation relives Australia’s America’s Cup win before skiffs take to the rivers

It started with the talk about the high-tech, winged keel and then went back to basics — a week of messing about on the rivers. The Albany Maritime Foundation’s celebrations for the Albany 2026 bicentenary commemorations began on March 21 with a night of nights — three key men behind Australia II’s America’s Cup victory explaining how they came to defeat the Americans of the New York Yacht Club back in 1983. Then, after an evening remembering and re-imagining the high seas off Rhode Island, the scene was set for the All the Rivers Run regatta. The event saw crews bring their St Ayles skiffs from far and wide and row all the major rivers in the State’s south-west, starting in Albany and ending in Augusta. The trio of legends who came to Albany were crucial to Australia II’s triumph, which is still regarded as one of the country’s most memorable sporting moments. About 160 people attended the Duyfken Boat Shed to hear talks from John Longley and Scott McAllister, members of the crew which sailed Australia II, and Steve Ward, who built the boat in his Cottesloe yard. The boat caused a scandal because of its controversial winged keel, a major design advance which had been tested in the Netherlands before racing hostilities began off the American coast and the hosts were defeated for the first time in 132 years. Mr Ward and Mr McAllister were interviewed by AMF president John Gaunt while Mr Longley held the audience spellbound as he set the scene in the US and went through each gripping race one by one. Mr Gaunt said Mr Longley’s presentation had been the highlight of a memorable evening. “He took us through that last, nailbiting race in such a way that, sitting listening, we weren’t sure until the last minute that we were actually going to win,” he said. “Steve Ward gave us an overview around the building of Australia II and Scott McAllister explained all about operating in a high-pressure situation.” Mr Longley, who eventually took part in five America’s Cups and was the grinder on Australia II, then took part in the regatta — even though there were no controversial keels to be seen — from start to finish. Up to 55 rowers a day participated in the event which Mr Gaunt hailed as a sporting and logistical triumph. “It was a fantastic way to celebrate the bicentenary, everything just came together perfectly,” he said. AMF-built skiffs Eclipse and Breaksea were joined by skiffs from Freshwater Bay, South of Perth and East Fremantle yacht clubs, plus the community rowers from Augusta and Nanarup who raided the Kalgan, Denmark, Frankland, Donnelly and Blackwood Rivers in a week-long jamboree. Day one, March 21, was spent on Princess Royal Harbour in moderate conditions for the John Inglis raid while the second day began with a warm-up row to Honeymoon Island on the Kalgan River with lunch at Albany Rowing Club. The third day was spent exploring the Denmark River with the following days covering Coalmine Beach to Walpole and then down the Donnelly to the coast, a taxing 24km row. The final run on March 28 featured seven skiffs which explored the Scott River. Tackling shallow water full of rocks, the boats safely navigated to the limit of the river before circumnavigating Molloy Island, at the junction of the Blackwood and Scott Rivers, and finishing with lunch and awards. Each club received a certificate with the Black Jack Sally Award — the end of an old oar, which goes to the team best epitomising skiff skills and sportsmanship — going to South of Perth YC.