Crew call: The Star Chaser team

Saturday 28 November – 1337 GMT
20.59N 31.09W – 1750nm to go – 8. kn

Time to get you all acquainted with our crew a little bit more….where shall we start…

Barry (English, 63, on the wheel) – an old friend as you might still know him from last year’s ARC. Totally and old fashionably charming and witty, always ready with a joke… or two. The man in charge of the bananas.

Keith (English/Scottish, 57, first row, second from left) – tall and devilishly handsome, very smart too (because he’s come back to sail especially with Boogie and likes the boat). Together with Andy forms our ‘Star Team’. Nothing to do with ‘Dancing with the Stars’ or anything, but our celestial navigator team.

Andy (Scottish, 49, back row, on the right) – the fix it all and clean it all man (aka the ideal man in women’s language as he can cook, knows how to clean and still does the all the DIY jobs with a flourish). The other half of our ‘Star Team’ (who have narrowed our position down to the Northern hemisphere, but on second thoughts are not quite a 100% sure yet…we might yet find ourselves on our way to Rio according to them!).

Michael (English with a touch of Swedish, 54, second row left)) – quiet, but has a way with words. Comes up with some surprising touches for the dinner recipes, like orange peel in the beef stew. Delish! The touch of Swedish might be from the Swedish Chef, much appreciated by Kermit and Co.

Adrian (English with a hint of Scottish, 38, second row right) – the baby in the group (apart from the skipper that is). Tall, into his racing. Because of his youth and racing, often called upon for the jobs on the foredeck the oldies in the group are happy to let pass by.

Dick (Dutch, 63, first row right) – the token Dutch crew on board. Charming and well read. As speaks fluent Dutch appointed by the rest of crew to make sure the skipper and mate are not secretly talking about them in Dutch.

David (Welsh, 62, back row left hanging on) – funny and blessed with same dry English humor as his friend Keith despite his proud Welshness. Likes to go on adventure and explore in all directions, both back home and while on the wheel.

Stewart (English/Scottish, 64, first row second from right) – svelte, Laser sailor who still enjoys a dry capsize. Stealthy tendency to head up a bit off the course, as it makes us go faster.

Boogie (Dutch, 37, back row second from left) – the real baby on board, also doubling as skipper. Dispenses lots of sailing knowledge as well as trivia with equal enthusiasm. Contrary to our Star Team does actually know where we are and that we are headed in the right direction (although slightly depending on the helmsman).

Marlies (Dutch, 40, first row left) – the token woman on (the) board, mate, also referred to as The Boss. Organisational spirit, stowing queen and food boss. Therefore slightly shocked this morning to find out the old boys’ network have worked their way through 10 (!) packs of cereals in 5 breakfasts.