Barry's still making waves

By DAVID BRASCH “We got flogged by a boat BARRY Russell would called Venom, designed pardon the pun, but he’s and sailed by Bob Miller been sailing along since he who later changed his took up greyhound racing name to Ben Lexcen. 20 years ago. Lexcen would go on to be Russell, 68, his wife a great 12-metre Maureen and sons Darren designer,” said Barry. and Andrew, have Even though the world achieved more than their title opposition in fair share of success with Brisbane was too tough gallopers like Tears For for Russell, he caught the Jupiter, Tough Hombre, eye. “I got a phone call Huge Day Hughie etc. just after that from Frank But Barry has been sailing McKnoulty, a great 18ft along all his life ... sailor, to try out for the 12 literally. metres.” A born and bred Balmain Packer was putting boy, Barry boasts a sailing together Australia’s first career which took him to America’s Cup challenge. the ultimate of ocean He made the crew and for racing, the 12 metre months sailed a US boat America’s Cup challenge, called Vim which Packer and took him there twice. had leased to train his Barry was part of the Sir team. Frank Packerbacked challenge by Gretel in 1962 Barry went to Newport on Rhode Island just and Gretel II in 1970, challenges which north of New York to take on the invincible eventually paved the way for Allan Bond’s Yanks. Australia II to win the thing in 1983. “I was a reserve for the final crew,” said Barry. But Barry was bred to be a sailor. His father “We won a race but lost the Cup to Weatherly.” Tony was world 18ft champion in 1949. Packer would not give up, and Barry Russell “I started sailing when I was about nine or 10, was along for the ride. back in 1945-46,” said Barry. “I was a truck driver at the time so you can see I “Eventually I progressed to the 18 footers racing was a fish out of water with all these guys. But I on Sydney Harbour. There was more money bet stayed loyal to Packer even though Dame Pattie on those races than at Royal Randwick in those challenged for the Cup after Gretel’s failed bid.” days. He remembers vividly preparing off Sydney “There was eight or nine ferries following the Heads in 30-knot winds and getting washed races all day with bookies on board taking bets, overboard. “We were seven miles out to sea, I illegally.” got swept over but was lucky to be able to get Sailing “The Fox”, Barry won the Australian back onto the boat,” he said. “No one even knew 18ft championship on Sydney Harbour and I was gone.” headed to Brisbane for the world By the time Gretel II was ready to take on the championships. Cup, a challenger series had been started. Gretel II beat the French challenge for the right to take Tears Of Jupiter has won $139,000 in stakes for on the Yanks in 1970. the family and is their pride and joy. The bitch is Jim (later Sir James) Hardy was the skipper and likely to come home for one last try at the Barry was No 2 on the bow. Albion Park Gold Cup and then retirement. “We all got a Rolex watch for beating the “We’ve had some smart dogs,” said Barry. French and I still wear it today,” said Barry. “Huge Day Hughie was flying but broke a hock. Gretel II was beaten by Intrepid and Barry He’s back but we don’t think he will be as good. Russell, by then with a young family, decided “We sold Tough Hombre as a young dog his time chasing America’s Cup glory was over. because he was never going to run a strong 500 “I sailed for 10 years out of the Royal Sydney metres. He’s now at stud in Sweden.” Yacht Squadron, but gave it away in the 1980s,” The family has 27 dogs on the property now, he said. including a litter of eight by Primo Uno- By this time he was hankering to give greyhound Glenlogan Girl the dam of Huge Day Hughie. racing a try. He put up three kennels at the back Barry might not be tripping about the world of his house in Balmain and got the bug. chasing glory on 12 metre yachts these days, but Ten years ago he and his family moved to he’s still causing a few waves among the Beaudesert and the winners have been flowing greyhound industry. since.