The Boxing Kangaroo, Australia’s famous sporting mascot, is back where he was born… racing on the high seas in the Clipper Round the World yacht race.

100,000 spectators farewelled the fleet from Humber, UK, on their 35,000 mile journey with the Boxing Kangaroo proudly displayed on the hull of the Australian challenger Spirit of Australia.

“It’s great to see the Roo back at sea,” said John Longley Australia II project manager and crewman.

The Boxing Kangaroo was the battle flag for Australia II when Alan Bond and his crew famously snared the America’s Cup in 1983 ending the longest winning sequence in sporting history.

The Americans had clung to the auld mug for a record 132 years.

“It will be interesting to see how the Roo enjoys long ocean crossings as he was bought up day sailing off Newport RI. Knowing the character of the beast he will eat it up,” Longley said.

The Clipper race is a biennial event with the 7th edition visiting five continents over the next ten months.

The fleet is due in Fremantle in mid-December. Other ports of call include Rio, Cape Town, Singapore, Qingdao, San Francisco, New York, Panama and Cork in Ireland.

Almost 40 Australians will be competing in this year’s event on different boats.

The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC), owners of the much-loved “BK”, gave permission for the symbol to appear on the hull of the Spirit of Australia the West Australian entrant in the Clipper race.

“We are proud to support the Australian entrant in the Clipper race and hope the sight of the Boxing Kangaroo on the hull will provide inspiration for the crew as they race around the globe,” said AOC Director of Sport Fiona de Jong.

“We think it is fitting for the Boxing Kangaroo to reappear in Qingdao, China, the home of the Olympic sailing competition in 2008 and where our Australian sailors excelled winning two gold and a silver medal,” she said.

“It would be a great thrill to see the Spirit of Australia with BK on the hull lead the fleet into Fremantle”.

The AOC purchased the image from entrepreneur Bond prior to the Sydney Olympic Games and he has been the Team mascot ever since.

The Boxing Kangaroo is the battle flag of Australian sport. He represents our fighting spirit and the unrelenting "have a go" Aussie attitude that makes him hugely popular with all Australians.

Longley recently discovered the original Boxing Kangaroo flag hanging in O’Brien’s pub in Newport Rhode Island. He is now in the process of swapping flags so he can bring the original BK home.

AOC