NOT PLAIN SAILING

As a former daily newspaper editor I am reluctant to call another newspaper’s Page One story a beat-up.

But I did look askance at the Page One headline and story in today’s Herald Sun in Melbourne.

It is an “exclusive” story about disgraced businessman and former prisoner Alan Bond. The headline says:

“I want MCG parade. Bond’s Grand Finale”.

The story says that the fallen billionaire wants to join his Australia II teammates when they are feted with a motorcade lap of honour at the MCG on Grand Final Day.

Saturday, September 27 is the 20th anniversary of the day when Australia came back from 1-3 to win the best of seven races and defeat America for the first time in 132 years.

It was one of the great sporting comebacks in history and it was Bond’s fourth challenge for The Auld Mug.

Why it makes Page One of the Herald Sun today and why there is apparent doubt about Bond’s appearance is a puzzle.

I knew from people who know three weeks ago that Bond would be in the MCG tribute. And his ex-wife Eileen (known as Big Red) and his current wife Diana Bliss have also been invited to the official function.

It is true Bond was snubbed at Cowes, the Admiral’s Cup venue, a while ago. And it is true he is a thief, a fiscal bully, a liar and a business cheat.

But you cannot deny the fact that Bond and his winged keel (and the late Ben Lexcen and Warren Jones) pulled off a stunning sporting upset. Something that Sir Thomas Lipton failed to achieve in five expensive challenges off Newport, Rhode Island.

I may not like Alan Bond. He stole a billion dollars from shareholders and I would not shake his hand.

But he was just as important part of Australia’s America’s Cup history as Frank Packer, Jim Hardy and John Bertrand.

He is as entitled as anybody to the twentieth anniversary salute.

Tuesday, September 2, 2003

©Copyright Derryn Hinch 2002