Motley Crew better than a discard

by Guy Nowell, Sail-World Asia on 3 Dec 2007
Ray Roberts, owner of Quantum Racing, had a problem yesterday afternoon - mechanical problems with an aircraft in Sydney and a cancelled flight meant that he was going into the first day of the Phuket King's Cup 2007 'a bit light on crew'. One scurrilous theoriser suggested that Roberts had a cunning plan to save a few dollars on the crew hotel bill, and was intending to discard the first race of the regatta, but we don't really believe that.

So at 1500 hrs Ray was to be found in the lobby of the Kata Beach Resort, scooping up likely passers-by to make up the stack on the rail. Major considerations for selection seemed to be 'alive' and 'still breathing' and maybe even 'has been on a boat before'. Questions were raised about the necessity of oxygen cylinders in the cockpit to resuscitate exhausted 'senior sailors', but Roberts vetoed this on grounds of weight.

Richard Grimes' pre-race briefing included info on 'cats and dogs' and an entertaining roll call of intended crew positions. The Official Photographer became the Sheriff - 'anyone comes our way, looks like an incident brewing, just keep the motor drive going so we can use the pics in The Room'. No worries, Grimesey.

With a little help from the regulars on board Quantum Racing was delivered from start line to finish without undue incident and a great deal of enjoyment. Yesterday Roberts said, 'if we get a podium place those other fellers can go home'. Provisional results presently put QR third in Racing Class...

Your call, Ray.