Dutchman claims glory for famous Aussie win 

Source: Getty ImagesAustralia II in the 1983 America's Cup

• WATCH the video (2:15)

Twenty-six years after Australia II broke the American stranglehold on yachting's most famous trophy, a Dutchman has broken his silence over the famous winged keel.

Peter Van Oossanen says he designed the keel - not Australian Ben Lexcen - which was critical to their success in the 1893 America's Cup.

The Americans questioned its origins at the time - if it wasn't an Australian designer then it would have been illegal and the Cup would have stayed in the US.

Australia II's skipper John Bertrand is defending Lexcen, who died on a heart attack in 1988, and says only he had the expertise to create the winning boat.

But Van Oossanen, a Dutch naval architect, claims he and a colleague made the breakthrough and agreed to keep it secret. He says he is only breaking his silence now because he feels his work is being erased from the history books.

"I've kept my side of the bargain all this time and it's only because other people in the team who were fully aware of the fact that we were...very heavily involved. Basically, Ben had nothing to do with the underwater design of the hull or the keel...I feel now perhaps it's time to talk about it.

Bertrand acknowledges the work done in the Netherlands but defends his designer's work.

"Benny used various consultants which was an integral part of all design teams in those days but the principal designer had to be an Australian and Benny was certainly that."

Bertrand points out that the skiff taipan, designed by Lexcen in the 1960s and on display at the Sydney Maritime Musem, featured appendanges on the rudder and keel.