I've just learned the news that the charismatic
businessman - Alan Bond died today - 5th June 2015
from complications of the heart operation he had earlier
in the week (open heart surgery - 2nd June 2015).

I can still recall the joy that his team's winning the
1983 America's Cup brought to many of us when the New
York Yacht Club lost for the first time in its 132 year
history to us - Australians.

I don't know that much about Mr Bond's financial dealings -
I do know that he was a very colourful character - and
I wish his family and loved ones my deepest sympathy.
May he Rest In Peace.

How do the rest of you remember him?

Yes it was a pretty momentous occasion for us yachties.

I was pretty friendly with Bob Miller, who changed his name to Ben Lexcen, after a falling out with a business partner. He's the guy who came up with the Australia 2 winged keel. He actually thought other factors of his design were more important than the keel, but also thought the hoo-ha about it gave them a psychological edge.

It was a very smart move by Bond to see how far ahead Bob & some other people were with their work on 18 Ft skiffs in Sydney. I doubt any other syndicate sponsor than Bond would have taken a chance with them.

That footage of him unveiling the keel after that last race is a classic in Oz sporting history, & typical Bond showmanship.

It is a pity his gambling on some wild business ventures was to cost so many their life savings.

Yes Foxy, I , like many West Australians, remember exactly where I was the day we won the America's Cup. I was working in Geraldton at the time and was staying in Perth with a friend for the weekend of the race.

I was helping her paint her unit, and we were sooo excited about us beating the yanks at anything! I loved the crestfallen look on the Yankee sailor's faces as Australia won after so many years.

Another friend of ours had taken us out on her father's large power boat several times from the Royal Perth Yacht Club, so we all ended up there for drinks that night.
A fun time had by all.

RIP Bondy, even if you were a naughty bloke at times!

I think I was the most patriotic I have ever been in my life that weekend.
I also enjoyed all the wonderful tourist places in Fremantle that resulted from the incredible growth of Freo after the Cup was won.
A new vibrant city was born...

Dear Hasbeen and Suse,

It definitely was a day to remember - and part of our
glorious sporting history. Imagine you Hassie knowing
the designer of that winged-keel - that's awesome!
My family all cheered on our winning
team - and we all became a great Bondy admirer from that day
on.

I know a lot of people lost their life savings
through some of Bondy's business ventures - but I can't judge
him on that as I don't know enough about his business
dealings. He did go to prison. However, despite all
of his money and fame the bloke did have a sad personal
life. I believe that his second wife committed suicide.
Which must have affected him dreadfully.

In my mind Bondy remains the man who sponsored the
winning team that beat the Yanks for the first time -
in their 132 year history.

RIP Bondy!

Dear Hasbeen and Suse,

It definitely was a day to remember - and part of our
glorious sporting history. We all cheered on our winning
team - and I became a great Bondy admirer from that day
on. I know a lot of people lost their life savings
through some of his business ventures - but I can't judge
him on that as I don't know enough about his business
dealings. He did go to prison - and he had a sad personal
life. I believe that his second wife committed suicide.
Still in my mind he remains the man who sponsored the
winning team that beat the Yanks in their 132 year history.

In those days Foxy, I had access to the Ciba-Geigy lab at the time, & organised them doing a lot of work on adhesives, sheathing & waterproofing materials for Frank Bethwaite, a brilliant small boat designer, who was working on hydrofoil shapes with Bob/Ben Lexcen.

Frank designed the windvane self steering gear that guided my yacht for 50,000 miles around the Pacific.

On that morning we were on the yacht moored in front of our shack on Russell Island, in Moreton bay. The race ended very late, & we were worried we'd miss the morning ferry to the mainland. The moment the race finished we jumped into our little one ton table top truck we kept on the island. All the way to the jetty we found people running for the ferry. We ended up with the truck fully loaded, & others still coming.

We held the ferry, & it left 15 minutes late. The bus on the mainland waited, & left late, & 40 or more people were late for work/appointments. I gather that was situation normal that morning all over Australia, & everyone was so happy, no one cared.

Isn't it amazing how one event can grab a whole nation. We could win the next one, & few would even notice, but that one meant so much to so many. Thank You Mr Bond.