Please select your home edition
Edition
North Sails Loft 57 Podcast

Wounded Defence mates conjure the ‘Spirit of Mateship’

by Zoe Russell on 16 Apr 2014
Sequel Communications
QantasLink Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race 2014 - Following a successful debut in last year’s Rolex Sydney Hobart, the Volvo 60 'Spirit of Mateship' will be back on the water for the 66th QantasLink Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race.

Skipper Russell McCart and crew will be joined by eight first-timers when the race gets underway on Good Friday (18 April).

Mates4Mates Chief Operating Officer Michael Quinn said it’s an amazing opportunity for the Brave Mates who had been selected as part of Mates4Mates’ rehabilitation programs.

'Our Brave Mates are current and former ADF personnel who have been through tough times mentally and physically, and taking part in the Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race is part of the healing process,' Mr Quinn said.

'The sailing challenge is designed to stretch them to their limits in a positive environment by providing motivation, hardship, uncertainty and by building trust with fellow mates.'

35-year-old James Prascevic, from Victoria, is among those taking part. The former infantry soldier struggled with PTSD after his 10 year service with deployments to Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan.

'What I like about Mates4Mates is that as part of your recovery you might be out of your comfort zone but you’re in a safe environment and with people who understand what you have been through,' Mr Prascevic said.

'I wanted to be involved in the Sydney to Hobart last year but I wasn’t mentally ready for the challenge; I am now,' Mr Prascevic said.

'This will go towards my yacht master’s course which I am doing as part of rehabilitation back into the workforce.'

Former Lieutenant Colonel David Phillips, 64, said he signed up for the Brisbane to Gladstone because he misses the camaraderie and mateship from 28 years in Army.

'Hopefully I’ll be able to offer some support and guidance as a mentor for the younger generations,' Mr Phillips said.

Mates4Mates is a national charitable organisation set up by RSL (Queensland Branch) to provide services, welfare and treatment programs to help rehabilitate wounded, injured and ill current and former ADF personnel and their families.

Spirit of Mateship
Make - Volvo Ocean 60
Designer – Laurie Davidson
Builder – Cooksons, NZ
Construction – Kevlar composite

LOA - 19.46 mt. (65 ft.)
Beam - 5.25
Draft - 3.96

Built using SP unidirectional reinforcements and a wet-preg process, where resins are at an unprecedented level of accuracy in the construction i.e. almost no fairing compound needs to be used.
• Formerly known as Djuice Dragons.
• Competed in the 2001-02 Volvo Ocean Race under the Norwegian flag.
• Bought in 2012 by yachtsman Andrew Wenham, relocated to Australia and renamed Southern Excellence.
• Extensively refurbished and had significant success in a number of bluewater classics including the 2012 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.
• Bought by RSL (Queensland Branch) in 2013 and renamed Spirit of Mateship.
• 22nd in line honours and first in PHS Division 1 in 2013 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.
Vetus-Maxwell 2021 v2 FOOTERSydney Boat Show 2025 - Apply to ExhibitSelden 2020 - FOOTER

Related Articles

Middle Sea Race fleet continues to build
Global fleet is equally diverse in terms of experience, with debutants and serial attendees The 2025 Rolex Middle Sea Race is scheduled to start on Saturday, 18 October. Yachts ranging in size from 9.75 to 22 metres (32 to 72 feet) have entered so far representing 14 nations, including Australia, Argentina, China and the United States.
Posted on 17 Jul
Admirals' Cup: Predictwind weather supplier
Predictwind champions diversity and empowers Women in Offshore Racing PredictWind, a global leader in marine weather forecasting, is proud to announce its significant involvement in the upcoming Admiral's Cup 2025.
Posted on 17 Jul
Ian Williams - Eight times WMRT champion
Shirley Robertson is joined by eight-time World Match Racing Champion Ian Williams Shirley Robertson is joined by eight-time World Match Racing Champion Ian Williams, as the duo get together to discuss Williams' career at the sharp end of the most combative discipline in the sport of competitive sailing.
Posted on 17 Jul
Performance Starts with the Right Cloth
North Panel Laminate (NPL) sails combine advanced materials with precision engineering Not all laminate sailcloth is created equal. North Panel Laminate (NPL) sails combine advanced materials with precision engineering to deliver lighter weight, better shape retention, and serious durability.
Posted on 17 Jul
SailGP Technologies officially launches
new center of excellence in technology & innovation in Southampton, UK SailGP today marks the official opening of SailGP Technologies – the global racing championship's center of innovation, design, and engineering, based out of Southampton, UK.
Posted on 17 Jul
The WASZP Games: A decade in the making
What was once a dream for the SailingFast team is now a reality! The WASZP Games at the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy (WPNSA) has been a decade in the making for Duncan & Emma Hepplewhite at SailingFast, so seeing it come to fruition is a proud moment for them and the team.
Posted on 17 Jul
Hong Kong to host 2027 Dragon World Championship
Taking place from 21 to 29 November 2026 The Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club and the Sailing Federation of Hong Kong, China in partnership with the Hong Kong Dragon Association, is proud to announce that Hong Kong will host the 2027 Hong Kong Dragon World Championship from 21 to 29 November 2026.
Posted on 17 Jul
2025 WASZP Pre-Games in Weymouth Day 1
Four races held for all flights in the sunshine The WASZP Pre-Games got under way in Weymouth on Thursday with all the ingredients for a great day on the water: a steady WSW breeze, sunshine, and plenty of smiles heading out onto the racecourse in Portland Harbour.
Posted on 17 Jul
Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta day 4
ILCA 6 & 7, Men's & Women's Formula Kite and 470 Mixed Teams Wrap Up The racing for the first 5 classes of the Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta wrapped up with a twist in conditions and breeze just to mix it up for the competitors.
Posted on 17 Jul
Strong start on LA waters for Australian Sailors
A valuable week of racing at the Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta Australia's top Olympic class sailors have wrapped up a valuable week of racing at the Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta in California, gaining firsthand experience at the future venue of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Posted on 17 Jul