The flag of Australia II, the legendary yacht which broke 112 years of American dominance, is returning home. The flag has been hanging in O’Brien’s Pub in Newport since 1983, but this month, the pub owner has given the flag back to Skip Lissiman, an Australia II crew member who is competing in the 12 Metre Worlds off Newport.

A replica signed by almost all of the 1983 team was exchanged for the flag. The original will go to Fremantle Maritime Museum in Perth, Western Australia. This was the flag that united Australians of 1983 and the then Prime Minister Bob Hawke even remarked on live Australian television: ‘I tell you what; any boss who sacks anyone for not turning up today is a bum’.

In 1983, Alan Bond and the crew of Australia II made history by winning the America’s Cup at Newport, Rhode Island. Americans had previously won every America’s Cup since the race began in 1871.