A Frenchman, an Englishman and an Aussie: Bob Hawke tells a joke – video
Former Australian prime minister Bob Hawke, wearing his now famous 1983 America's Cup jacket, tells a joke to illustrate Australian irreverence
View ArticleThe greatest sporting comebacks – in pictures
After Oracle Team USA's remarkable victory in the America's Cup, we bring you some of the greatest fightbacks in sport
View ArticleBill Callahan – review
The Ritz, Manchester The lo-fi pioneer makes few concessions to showbiz, but is an artist at the peak of his songwriting power When Bill Callahan stared out as Smog in the 1990s, his band name and...
View ArticleChampions of choke: countries that excel at falling short
Australia, England and New Zealand have unenviable records at choking but does one nation outrank the others? For any sports fan the debate over the great chokers can be an emotive one but it is also...
View ArticleSan Francisco given America's Cup go-ahead after last-ditch talks
2013 Cup to be raced in 72ft wing-sailed catamarans Sailing's premier event is worth $1.4bn to San Francisco The next staging of the America's Cup will be held in San Francisco in 2013. The decision...
View ArticleOracle Team USA still America's Cup underdogs, says skipper
Comeback ties series with Emirates Team New Zealand at 8-8 Sir Ben Ainslie helps set up winners-take-all final race Jimmy Spithill, the Oracle Team USA skipper, insists his men are still the underdogs...
View ArticleThis much I know: Mike Golding
The round-the-world yachtsman, 52, on sleep, being a fireman, and his glamour years I've broken records I didn't even know about. Some say I've crossed the equator 27 times I don't know, I don't count...
View ArticleBMW Oracle Racing names Jimmy Spithill as helmsman
Spithill previously the youngest skipper in Cup history UAE to host February showdown The America's Cup challenger BMW Oracle Racing has named the Australian Jimmy Spithill as helmsman for the team's...
View ArticleBMW Oracle Racing and Alinghi resolve legal dispute
Long-standing America's Cup row brought to a close Claims over design and construction dropped One of the bitterest chapters in America's Cup history has officially ended with the new and old champions...
View ArticleAustralian 'did not invent winged keel on yacht that won America's Cup'
Dutch designer claims Ben Lexcen played minor role in creating revolutionary keel for 1983 cup-winning boat It was a sporting victory that inspired Australia's then prime minister, Bob Hawke, to...
View ArticleAmerica's Cup: Ben Ainslie's tactics help Oracle set up thrilling finale
Greatest comeback in 162 years brings Larry Ellison's Americans and Emirates Team New Zealand to 8-8 with decider due today America's Cup victory for Oracle Team USA The fiasco was going so well. Just...
View ArticleHow many Americans does it take to win the America's Cup?
Oracle Team USA have completed a stunning turnaround in the America's Cup but few were watching a mostly overseas crew until they won Consider this new Zen koan: If an America's Cup team stages one of...
View ArticleAmerica's Cup: Team USA close gap on New Zealand
Series now poised at 8-6 New Zealand still need one more victory Skipper James Spithill says Oracle Team USA are on a huge roll after a fifth successive victory over Team New Zealand in the America's...
View ArticleSir Ben Ainslie offers no change of tide for flailing Oracle - video
Oracle Team USA call in sailing superstar Ben Ainslie, the most successful Olympic sailor of all time, in an attempt to turn around their America's Cup campaign. But the top tactician could do little...
View ArticleSports picture of the day: not making a big splash in the America's Cup
The America's Cup reaches San Francisco and Oracle Team USA are making waves, but the biggest splash goes to Emirates Team New Zealand who won race six and seven. The Kiwis lead the series 6-0 and are...
View ArticleSport picture of the day: skirting Alcatraz
Here's an image that looks like it could be a chase scene from a movie. The billowing fog, the helicopter overhead and the speeding boats all combine to dramatic effect. The yachts are racing in the...
View ArticleWho in sport should follow Team USA and take some time out? open thread
After suffering a heavy defeat in the America's Cup, Oracle Team USA have asked for a time-out to 'regroup'. Who else in sport should take their lead and sit out the next couple of plays? For a...
View ArticleLabor's embrace of Alan Bond was grotesque. But at least it wasn't bland |...
It’s customary to distinguish between two Alan Bonds: the shonky high-flyer, and the yachting victor. Truth is, in Labor’s embrace they were the same man “Any employer who sacks a worker for not...
View ArticleAlan Bond obituary
Charismatic business tycoon who bankrolled Australia’s triumph in the America’s Cup but later faced bankruptcy and imprisonment for fraud Alan Bond, the controversial business tycoon who backed...
View ArticleBen Ainslie hails Portsmouth after high winds hit America’s Cup racing
• No racing on Sunday due to winds of more than 30 knots • ‘We have seen what a great race course it is,’ says Ainslie Portsmouth has proved a worthy venue for the America’s Cup, according to Britain’s...
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