G'day Darowyn,

Keep in mind that the Old Mug was made as "The Victoria's Cup" ... the tin-tanks won it in a race off England - took it back to the US of A ... and then they held "competitions" where the British contender had to be a heavy, ocean-going yacht ... and sail the Atlantic to America unaided ... while the tin-tanks competed with their fastest (just-)off-shore racing yacht - but still fielded the entire New York Yacht Squadron to surround the Poms ... just in case their heavy Atlantic sailor could still beat the local (pale-) blue water lightweight!

I think we Aussies should have stuck to the early suggestion of running the Mug under a steam-roller and renaming the competition "The Australia's Platter"!

Oh yes... and re. "The Aussie Ashes" ... remember that the urn (allegedly) holds the ashes of a cricket stump (and/or a set of bales) - cremated to mark "the death of cricket" ... because the Poms had been beaten by "mere colonials"! ... And, the 'to-and-froms' will only let go of that one at gunpoint ... even when they lose it hands down.

Regard(les)s,

Bob