The MacRobertson Air Race got underway in spectacular fashion, with a pilot trying to take off but forgetting to release the brake.

Once in the air, things got only more confused, with emergency landings, crashes, and pilots getting arrested by Benito Mussolini’s men.

Soon the first planes would arrive in Australia, and the people of Albury would play a major role in saving one plane from disaster.

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Research

To research this I went through more aviation materials than I had ever thought possible. There are a heap of contemporary reports online and I had to dig deep to flesh out a lot of minor details, not all the reports line up.

The best book on the race is On a Wing and a Prayer: The Race that Stopped the World by Di Websdale-Morrissey and is a great account.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1934, the 100th anniversary of the founding of Melbourne was celebrated by what was at the time, the most dangerous and ambitious race in world history, flying from England to Melbourne.

The race would see wooden biplanes go up against the first metal airliners and was funded by an Australian Willy Wonka, Sir Macpherson Robertson, inventor of Freddo Frog and Cherry Ripe.

The finest pilots of the age gathered in England, a man who flew with a lion cub, a married couple who argued over directions, and a man who once ‘bombed’ the English flagship, HMAS Queen Elizabeth, with toilet paper during a naval exercise.

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As a member, you’ll get:

• A weekly bonus podcast
• Access to all past episodes
• Exclusive behind-the-scenes access
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• Early access to any live show tickets

Research

To research this I went through more aviation materials than I had ever thought possible. There are a heap of contemporary reports online and I had to dig deep to flesh out a lot of minor details; not all the reports line up.

 The best book on the race is On a Wing and a Prayer: The Race that Stopped the World by Di Websdale-Morrissey and is a great account.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On October 26, 1863, at the Freemason’s Tavern in Great Queen Street, London, representatives of various football clubs from across England met to try and figure out a universal set of rules for football.

This optimistic project fell apart over differences over whether you could run while holding the ball, and if you could kick an opponent in the shins.

The group split, one would form the Football Association, and the rest would go off an create Rugby.

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In 1823, William Webb Ellis picked up the ball and ran with it during a school match creating the "rugby" style of play. 

Except he didn’t, and the true story of how rugby emerged involved school uprisings, broken shins, and the invention of an origin story.

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On the 26th of September 1983, forty years ago, Australia II crossed the line to end the New York Yacht Club's 132-year-long winning streak.

To celebrate the anniversary, Mick and Titus sat down with winning skipper John Bertrand to learn more about what it took to win the America’s Cup.

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As a member, you’ll get:

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Research

There is no limit to the writings on the America’s Cup, and this was one of the biggest research jobs I’ve had.

Some of the key sources included:

A Full Cup: Sir Thomas Lipton's Extraordinary Life and His Quest for the America's Cup by Michael D'Antonio

The Quest for the America's Cup: Sailing to Victory by Richard V. Simpson

Exposed: The Dark Side of the America’s Cup by Alan Sefton and Larry Keating

Of course, the great man joined us and his book is Born To Win: The Power Of A Vision by John Bertrand.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1983, Alan Bond would go all in for the Cup, bringing together John Bertrand and Ben Lexcen in an all-out assault on the New York Yacht Club.

The Australians would bring their winged keel, and perhaps more importantly, their mind tricks, as they fought the Americans in court and out on the water.

Titus O’Reily and Mick Molloy recount the year the Australians challenged for the cup and for the first time in 132 years, prised it from the New York Yacht Club’s iron grip.

If you’d like more Sports Bizarre, become a member of Bizarre Plus.

Click here to join today

As a member, you’ll get:

• A weekly bonus podcast
• Exclusive behind-the-scenes access
• A fortnightly newsletter
• Access to the members-only chatroom
• Ability to vote on future episodes
• Early access to any live show tickets

Research

There is no limit to the writings on the America’s Cup, and this was one of the biggest research jobs I’ve had.

Some of the key sources included:

A Full Cup: Sir Thomas Lipton's Extraordinary Life and His Quest for the America's Cup by Michael D'Antonio

The Quest for the America's Cup: Sailing to Victory by Richard V. Simpson

Exposed: The Dark Side of the America’s Cup by Alan Sefton and Larry Keating

Of course, the great man joined us and his book is Born To Win: The Power Of A Vision by John Bertrand.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the British trying and failing for 100 years, the Australians now entered the fray, with Sir Frank Packer launching a challenge.

When Sir Frank was asked why he decided to challenge, he replied, "Alcohol and delusions of grandeur."

With the passing of Frank Packer, another Australian would pick up the mantle. He was from Western Australia, and his name was Alan Bond.

If you’d like more Sports Bizarre, become a member of Bizarre Plus.

Click here to join today

As a member, you’ll get:

• A weekly bonus podcast
• Exclusive behind-the-scenes access
• A fortnightly newsletter
• Access to the members-only chatroom
• Ability to vote on future episodes
• Early access to any live show tickets

Research

There is no limit to the writings on the America’s Cup, and this was one of the biggest research jobs I’ve had.

Some of the key sources included:

A Full Cup: Sir Thomas Lipton's Extraordinary Life and His Quest for the America's Cup by Michael D'Antonio

The Quest for the America's Cup: Sailing to Victory by Richard V. Simpson

Exposed: The Dark Side of the America’s Cup by Alan Sefton and Larry Keating

Of course, the great man joined us and his book is Born To Win: The Power Of A Vision by John Bertrand.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

By the end of the 19th Century, the America’s Cup had become a plaything for the rich, with men like J.P.Morgan and William K Vanderbilt controlling the New York Yacht Club.

Challenging them from Britain was Sir Thomas Johnstone Lipton, founder of Lipton’s tea, who would challenge five times for the Cup.

In one practice, no less than King Edward II was on board when the mast collapsed, almost killing him. The King had his cigar knocked out of his hand, and calmly lighted a fresh one before asking if anyone was hurt.

This week, there will be two episodes; the second will be out on Wednesday, except for Bizarre Plus members, who will receive both immediately.

Click here to join today

As a member, you’ll get:

• A weekly bonus podcast
• Exclusive behind-the-scenes access
• A fortnightly newsletter
• Access to the members-only chatroom
• Ability to vote on future episodes
• Early access to any live show tickets

Research

There is no limit to the writings on the America’s Cup, and this was one of the biggest research jobs I’ve had.

Some of the key sources included:

A Full Cup: Sir Thomas Lipton's Extraordinary Life and His Quest for the America's Cup by Michael D'Antonio

The Quest for the America's Cup: Sailing to Victory by Richard V. Simpson

Exposed: The Dark Side of the America’s Cup by Alan Sefton and Larry Keating

Of course, the great man joined us and his book is Born To Win: The Power Of A Vision by John Bertrand.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the English accusing the New York Yacht Club of ‘unfair and unsportsmanlike proceedings’ it fell to the Canadians to launch the next challenges.

The Canadians were so unprepared that the crew were still nailing down her deck as their ship set sail.

The English would pick up the mantle again, with the challenge of William Henn, who raced with five dogs, a cat, a lemur, a raccoon and an official mascot of the ship, a monkey named Peggy, who wore a pullover and a hat and could pull in the sails.

If you’d like more Sports Bizarre, become a member of Bizarre Plus.

As a member, you’ll get:

• A weekly bonus podcast
• Exclusive behind-the-scenes access
• A fortnightly newsletter
• Access to the members-only chatroom
• Ability to vote on future episodes
• Early access to any live show tickets

Click here to join today

Research

There is no limit to the writings on the America’s Cup, and this was one of the biggest research jobs I’ve had.

Some of the key sources included:

A Full Cup: Sir Thomas Lipton's Extraordinary Life and His Quest for the America's Cup by Michael D'Antonio

The Quest for the America's Cup: Sailing to Victory by Richard V. Simpson

Exposed: The Dark Side of the America’s Cup by Alan Sefton and Larry Keating

Of course, the great man joined us and his book is Born To Win: The Power Of A Vision by John Bertrand.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the America’s Cup donated to the New York Yacht Club (NYYC), Civil War would intervene before anyone could challenge for it.

After the war, it would be the new NYYC Commodore James Gordon Bennett Jr, who would kick start the challenges.  

Nicknamed “The Mad Commodore”, Bennett Jr was known for riding his personal horse carriage about the streets of New York city at break-neck speeds in the middle of the night while completely nude.

This week, there will be two episodes; the second will be out on Wednesday, except for Bizarre Plus members, who will receive both immediately.

If you’d like to become a member of Bizarre Plus Click here to join today

Research

There is no limit to the writings on the America’s Cup, and this was one of the biggest research jobs I’ve had.

Some of the key sources included:

A Full Cup: Sir Thomas Lipton's Extraordinary Life and His Quest for the America's Cup by Michael D'Antonio

The Quest for the America's Cup: Sailing to Victory by Richard V. Simpson

Exposed: The Dark Side of the America’s Cup by Alan Sefton and Larry Keating

Of course, the great man joined us and his book is Born To Win: The Power Of A Vision by John Bertrand.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.