Drama serial The Challenge was based on the true story of the monumental 1983 America’s Cup Yacht Race. After losing the America’s Cup yachting competition, the Australian team, led by Allan Bond and designer Ben Lexcen mount an attempt to win the competition in 1983.
Superbly made and with a top flight cast that also included a couple of international faces in the shape of Tim Pigott-Smith and Nicholas Hammond.
production details
Australia / Channel 9 – Roadshow Coote and Carroll – Golden Dolphin / 3×120 minute episodes / Broadcast 14 – 16 October 1986
Writer: David Phillips / Camera: Russell Boyd / Design: Larry Eastwood / Costume: Anna Senior / Music: Martin Armiger / Producer: Robert Loader, Tristram Miall / Executive Producers: Greg Coote, Matt Carroll, Linda Agran / Director: Chris Thomson
cast
JOHN WOOD as Alan Bond
JOHN DIEDRICH as John Bertrand
JOHN CLAYTON as Ben Lexcen
BARTHOLOMEW JOHN as John Longley
RICHARD MOIR as Warren Jones
LORRAINE BAYLY as Eileen Bond
JACKI WEAVER as Rasa Bertrand
TIM PIGOTT-SMITH as Peter de Savary
NICHOLAS HAMMOND as Dennis Conner
JOIE GREGORY as Judy Conner
RAY BARRETT as Bob McCullough
GUS MERCURIO as Vic Romagna
JEFF TRUMAN as Johan Valentijn
PETER PHELPS as Will Baillieu
