Thursday, August 24, 2023

Issue:

Mackay and Whitsunday Life

Goggles On, Sails Up!

Race Week veteran Jason Ruckert, known to everyone (including his daughter) as “Goggles”, is celebrating almost 20 years competing in the event alongside his three dedicated crew members.

Earlier this week, they drove his seven metre trailable boat, Mister Magoo, up the coast from Brisbane and will be competing in trailable division this year.

Previously the team have competed with some of the biggest fleets including the sports boats and performance divisions.

Since 2016, Mister Magoo has won their division four times with the crew adept at understanding both the vessel and each other, having sailed together for over 13 years.

Based in Manly near Brisbane, Goggles first came to Airlie Beach in 2004 when he competed for the National Sports Boats title, taking home second place.

From that moment, the Whitsundays became an annual event for him and his sailing buddies who brought the sailing boat ‘Gone Troppo’ here in 2006 and then continued competing with Mister Magoo in future years.

“We love the mixture of passage races round the islands,” said Goggles.

“That, and you guys have a massive beer tent! We love the social side and meeting all the North Queensland guys!”

A ‘wharfy’ by trade and turning 50 this year, Goggles has enjoyed a lifelong passion for the sport having initially taken it up with his dad who was a skiff sailor.

Together they sailed at Skiff Clubs around the country, and it wasn’t long before they purchased a trailer sailor.

Spending most of the year competing in regattas in Southeast Queensland, the Airlie Beach Race Week is their favourite “big event” and one they look forward to each year.

Make sure you look out for them over the week and wish them luck in sailing home with a winner again this year.

Look out for the bright orange sail of Mister Magoo

Goggles and his crew navigating the course

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