Darling Portrait Prize 2020 Finalist
John Bertrand AO: Chair, Sport Australia Hall of Fame; President, Swimming Australia; and skipper of America’s Cup-winning yacht Australia II. On the morning of September 26, 1983, Australia woke with a smile on its face, and the nation celebrated. Breaking the longest winning streak in international sport – 132 years – we had won the America’s Cup. At the helm of Australia II was John Bertrand, sailing from a 3-1 deficit to a dramatic 4-3 win. His quest had been relentless and his courage unwavering. Rank underdogs, Bertrand and his team lifted the spirits of an entire nation and changed the course of yachting history.