Australians in women’s America’s Cup inspired by fighting spirit of boxing kangaroo, Australia II

Australian sailors in the first women’s America’s Cup are tapping into some famous inspiration for their history-making appearance in the famous regatta.

Australian sailors Lisa Darmanin, Olivia Price, Laura Harding and Annie Wilmot. Picture: Nic Douglass

It’s a symbol of Australian pride, fighting spirit, guts and glory.

Of overcoming the odds, getting on with the job and daring to dream.

The boxing kangaroo was used to inspire a team of Australian battlers to one of the most extraordinary sporting triumphs in history 41 years ago and our Olympians to record feats and medals at the recent Paris Games.

Now it’s doing the same for four sailors – just in a different way.

While there are a sea of boxing kangaroo flags in Barcelona, our Australian women’s crew have them closer to hand, literally.

Boxing Kangaroos on the nails of sailors.

Skipper Olivia Price, fellow helm Laura Harding and trimmers Annie Wilmot and Lisa Darmanin all had boxing kangaroo painted on their finger nails ahead of their first scheduled foray into America’s Cup waters this weekend.

“We had the boxing kangaroos put on the other day and we’re definitely trying to channel, I guess, that fighting spirit that it represents,” said Paris Olympian Price, who finished ninth in 49erFX at the Games regatta in Marseille.

“It’s like a badge of honor type thing. It means some pretty cool things to Australians.’’

Boxing kangaroo used during 1983 America's Cup victory. Pic John Firth-Smith (The America's Cup Collection).

In Barcelona, the Australians will need the famed fighting spirit that helped the John Bertrand led Australia II pull off a miraculous comeback to beat the US and end a 132 year winning streak in the 1983 America’s Cup.

In a bid to expand the first women’s event beyond teams associated with the five America’s Cup Challengers and Defender New Zealand, organisers made available six slots for invited nations with Australia one able to raised the funds to compete.

The Australian team on the water. Picture: Nic Douglass @sailorgirlhq

But because there are only limited AC 40 boats and they are connected to the syndicates contesting the America’s Cup, the competition is decidedly lopsided with the Australian crew confined to a computer simulator for most of their lead-in.

While good preparation, it was apparent during the youth series where the Australian crew struggled to nail certain manoeuvres, that a lack of time in the boat can be costly.

Price said she and crewmates are aware they are underdogs but are just getting on with the job of racing their best and doing Australia proud.

“It’s all four of us working together. There’s no passengers on board,’’ she said.

“There’s no time to really waste or anything like that.

“It’s just a really cool, authentic version of sailing where there’s four chicks getting out there and getting it done.

Olivia Price, skipper of the Australian women's team to race in Barcelona. Picture: Eugenia Brunazzo.

“To have Australia back in the Cup and to be in the first women’s Cup, this is something that we obviously all feel and want to support.

“But with that comes a responsibility to make sure that we put on a really good show and put our best foot forward.’’

Price revealed she and crews have hit the staggering speed of 46 knots on the AC foiling 40 being raced at their even.

“It’s pretty wild. I think the downwind targets are around 42 to 44 so it’s pretty fast but a lot of fun,’’ she said.

The women’s event has been introduced to help create a new pool of talent and a pathway for women into the main event at the America’s Cup.

A youth America’s Cup was held last month to also bring through new foiling talent.

Australia is scheduled to start racing early Sunday and again on October 9 with the semi-finals on October 11 and the match on October 13.

Originally published as Australians in women’s America’s Cup inspired by fighting spirit of boxing kangaroo, Australia II