Roo to sail in the Lexus Adelaide Bluewater race

by plyc.com.au on 13 Feb 2008 Organisers of the 59th Lexus of Adelaide Bluewater Classic (February 22nd – 23rd) today announced that retired Crows legend Mark Ricciuto (Roo) will sail aboard “Skandia” (2003 Rolex Sydney to Hobart Line Honours) in the 156 nautical mile race between Adelaide and Port Lincoln.

He follows in the footsteps of good friend and retired Collingwood great Nathan Buckley who recently crewed aboard Hugo Boss in this year’s Rolex Sydney to Hobart.
After talking with ‘Bucks’ about the experience, Mark has decided to compete in the States’ most famous offshore race, the Lexus of Adelaide Bluewater Classic.

Roo will be quickly schooled in the art of sailing before joining some of the States’ most respected sailors as crew on board Grant Wharington’s 98-foot yacht, “Skandia”.

“Skandia” returns to the water for its first major offshore race after being badly damaged during the Sydney to Hobart in January. The super-maxi lost the top section of her mast on her way to Hobart but still managed to finish the race under a ‘jury rig’.

Lexus of Adelaide Bluewater Classic Chairman Mr Ben Kelsey said, “The news that Skandia will take part is great as she’s a major drawcard and crowd favourite.”

“With Roo onboard it will add another dimension to the event which in recent years has continued to grow in popularity.”

“Roo’s connection to Port Lincoln is widely known with the establishment of his new hotel, the Port Lincoln Hotel, that opened in December and we are hoping that other high profile South Australians will take his lead and challenge themselves by sailing in our great event.”

The race starts at the Royal South Australian Yacht Squadron (RSAYS) at 3pm on Friday, 22nd February with entrants sailing through the night and culminating the next day in Port Lincoln’s Boston Bay.

To date, 55 yachts have registered for the event and with several weeks to go this number is likely to surpass last years’ when 80 yachts took part.

There are five racing divisions in the Lexus of Adelaide Bluewater Classic:
IRC, Arbitrary Handicap, Multihull, Sydney 32 and Cruising.

Key entrants to date are: “Rager”, “As Good As It Gets” and “True North” in IRC; “Raw Nerve” in Multihull and “Ocean Mentor” in Sydney 32.

Lexus Lincoln Week follows, with racing in and around Boston Bay from Monday 25th and, as with the Lexus of Adelaide Bluewater Classic, it’s open to yachties across Australia.

To register for the Lexus of Adelaide Bluewater Classic and the Lexus Lincoln Week, visit www.plyc.com.au