It’s not all about the crew!

[No images of the shore crew in action... I will have to take some!]

Have you ever wondered how it all happens? How the logistics of a major event like the Volvo Ocean Race are managed and actually come together? How the Crew aboard the boats have all their needs and requirements catered for at each stopover point? Probably not… I had never really thought about it before until last night (Wed 25.1.06) after I left the exclusive Crew Party at Melbourne’s Dockland, pining for a quite beverage on my own instead. The exclusive party was for the Crew, invited guests and B minus celebrities. Definitely not my scene, after all, I was only wearing my shorts and deckies, which wasn’t the apparel of choice amongst the horde at the event. After about 15 minutes, I decided to make my way into the city and have myself some dinner and a quite drink.

Somehow I ended I at the Elephant and Wheelbarrow (I’ll admit that I got a little lost), where I happened to get chatting with three shore crew from the ABN AMRO team. Three nations were represented. An Aussie, Pommie and two Kiwis. (If you didn’t know any better, you could assume this was the start of a joke!)

The general chit chat began… “Where are you from”, “What do you sail”, “What’s your middle name”, and “Do you have a goldfish”. Basically, a generic opening to getting to know each other.

After a few beverages were consumed, I plucked the courage to ask some questions… “So, what’s it really like to work for the team?”

The responses?

“Bloody hard work mate, and it never ends. All the fun is happening now, but we don’t get to enjoy that cause we have to prepare the boat for the next leg, so the crew are able to get amongst it cause quite frankly they are considered celebrities wherever we end up, and us shore boys (and some girls) are basically here to get the s%$t sorted so they break more records.”

Is there any animosity between the yachtsmen and the shore crew? It may seem that way, but not at all. The yachtsmen are admired, but at the same time, also get in and help the shore crew strip the boat and prepare. The boats are these sailors home for up to a month at a time, so their vested interest in the organization and management of maintenance is quite an important one for them.

“Even though we never really get to experience the whole shore thing in each country, we do get time off when the boys are racing, meaning we can travel around and spend time with our partners or family. So it’s not all bad, it’s actually the best job you could ask for”

With 100 shore crew, the ABN AMRO team would have to be the best prepared over all of the other yachts racing. Their pavilion welcomes guests offering them an ABN AMRO branded canned drink, air-conditioned comfort, a complete audio visual experience of the race and a chance to get up close and personal with the 20 men whom are representing them on the ocean waves.

All of this is made possible by the team of shore crew who build the complex at each new port ensuring the ABN AMRO experience is shared with the world of supports they develop over the eight month voyage.

I have a new admiration for the people behind the scenes. The people who prepare the lunch, polish the stainless and sweep the floor. They are all extremely important, and are the reason this sport is so successful. You’re only as good as the support you leave on shore.

So back to the three shore crew I met last night. What a colourful bunch indeed. Not because of their smashing green, yellow and black team shirts, but rather the personalities that have come together to create new friendships and a deeper respect for yachting.

They only have one slight problem that needs working on before they depart this fine country… They must develop a love for Bundy Rum, because no true yachtie ever denies a rumbo at the end of a hard day!

Well done boys, you guys are awesome!