Russell Reveals His Nautical But Nice Side
Newcastle Herald
Saturday January 4, 2003
HE's played a gladiator, a schizophrenic mathematical genius and now a sailor.
But as Russell Crowe sailed into Coffs Harbour yesterday on racing yacht Travelex, it was for real.
Crowe was part of the crew on the 25-metre yacht which crossed the line in the Strathfield Pittwater to Coffs Harbour race in second place, and in record time.
It came in behind winner Wild Oats, which beat the 19-year race record by 2 hours.
Travelex came in an hour later.
Skipper Ludde Ingvall had invited Crowe and nine friends to crew for the race after tutoring him for his latest role as a ship's captain in the movie Master and Commander.
Race spokesman Andrew Palfrey said Crowe was 'very, very kind', but 'didn't hang around for that long'.
As soon as he got on to dry land, he 'walked straight over to the winning crew of Wild Oats and shook everyone's hand', Mr Palfrey said.
He then stayed around for 20 minutes signing autographs.
The main autograph-seekers were children and 'adoring females', along with the 'odd bloke under the guise of getting it for their kids'.
Mr Palfrey said that afterwards, Crowe walked off with a 'lovely looking lady'.
The lady was Crowe's fiance, Danielle Spencer, sporting an engagement ring reported to be worth nearly $200,000.
'This is the biggest exposure the yacht club's ever had,' Mr Palfrey said.
'It's very exciting.'
He said there were about 300 people on shore waiting to see the winners come in, but that it was 'a family-type crowd'.
'There were definitely no groupies, if you like,' he said.
'I certainly didn't notice an element there to see Russell.'
The yacht club has had to keep the news of Crowe's part in the race under wraps for weeks. Mr Palfrey and one other member were the only ones in the club who knew.
They were warned that if word got out and the race turned into a 'media circus', Crowe would pull out.
But it didn't, and he didn't.
'We've had a great event so far,' Mr Palfrey said.
'The weather's been very kind.
'Russell's been very, very kind.'
Travelex won the Sydney to Hobart yacht race in 2000 when it sailed as Nicorette.
© 2003 Newcastle Herald
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