Volvo Ocean Race - Tough challenge for Brunel's Pablo Arrarte Elorza

by Team Brunel on 22 Oct 2014 For Pablo Arrarte Elorza, the Volvo Ocean Race is a tough challenge. Not as far as physical effort is concerned because this likeable Spaniard is a very strong guy. For Pablo, the race is mostly a culinary war of attrition because the food that the team has bought with it on the race does little to please his gourmet palate. However...

Patan, as he is affectionately known on board, is the impassioned helmsman who pilots the Dutch boat through the waves. 'He’s one of the best helmsmen in the world,' says Bekking. 'Pablo is also a super-active trimmer. The men on deck seldom have a minute’s peace during his watch.' Expressions like ‘mainsail with weight forward’ and ‘more outrigger’ fly across the deck. And tonight, once again, he’s doing that on an empty stomach. One look in the pan is all it takes for him to raise his nose in disgust. 'Chicken curry, bah!'

Pablo grew up in the Spanish city of Santander. Every day, his fellow crew members hear how this area of Spain is 'a paradise'. 'The most beautiful spot in Santander is my grandmother’s place,' says Pablo. 'She really cooks up a storm there.' Pablo and his family are busy restoring a ruin. And he has been known to say that he intends to do nothing after his sailing career. Just enjoy family life, his house and good food. A lot of good food.

In Team Brunel, the men have to make do with five-day menu rotations. So at the end of the rotation, they get the same food as five days ago. And that day has come round again.

After his four-hour watch is over, Patan rushes down the stairs. He skipped the porridge this morning but today is the day he has been waiting for. Today there is chocolate mousse on the menu. With his mouth watering, he spoons his bowl full. Smirking, he fellow team members allow Pablo an extra spoonful! Pablo eats with his eyes shut until the very last trace of this chocolate delight has been consumed. Today, neither his bowl nor the pan need to be washed. Satisfied, Pablo crawls into bed. Another five nights to Brunel Sailing