He is known for running the tightest of ships with not even the smallest of home comforts allowed on board – but Groupama skipper Franck Cammas got to celebrate his 39th birthday in style thanks to some crafty smuggling from Media Crew Member Yann Riou.
Riou stowed away a packet of chocolate cake mix in his media box, promising to whip up a storm in the kitchen to mark his boss’s birthday.
“Yann is working on the preparation of lunch with a special dessert for me,” Cammas said on Thursday.
“He brought something in his media box with chocolate, eggs and all the stuff to prepare a chocolate cake. It’s a nice gift for me.”
Despite his wealth of offshore sailing experience, Cammas said he usually spent his birthday off the water due to the lack of sailing events over the European winter.
“I haven’t spent many birthdays at sea,” he said. “Normally I am at home or in the mountains, not at sea. This is the first time I have done the Volvo Ocean Race and it’s good to spend my birthday on board the boat racing. It’s a very good feeling to do that.
“The weather is good, fine weather for celebrating this day. It’s cool, there’s not too much water on the deck and it’s sunny – a good day for that!”
Riou, who’s role as MCM includes preparing the crew’s food, said the best birthday present for his skipper was a position report showing Groupama had extended their lead at the head of the fleet.
“However, the end of the day maybe more complicated with the Doldrums,” he added. “With its rubber band effect, our competitors will make their way into the party by moving closer to our stern.”
From : Volvo Ocean Race
Credit : Y.Riou/Groupama/VOR
Riou stowed away a packet of chocolate cake mix in his media box, promising to whip up a storm in the kitchen to mark his boss’s birthday.
“Yann is working on the preparation of lunch with a special dessert for me,” Cammas said on Thursday.
“He brought something in his media box with chocolate, eggs and all the stuff to prepare a chocolate cake. It’s a nice gift for me.”
Despite his wealth of offshore sailing experience, Cammas said he usually spent his birthday off the water due to the lack of sailing events over the European winter.
“I haven’t spent many birthdays at sea,” he said. “Normally I am at home or in the mountains, not at sea. This is the first time I have done the Volvo Ocean Race and it’s good to spend my birthday on board the boat racing. It’s a very good feeling to do that.
“The weather is good, fine weather for celebrating this day. It’s cool, there’s not too much water on the deck and it’s sunny – a good day for that!”
Riou, who’s role as MCM includes preparing the crew’s food, said the best birthday present for his skipper was a position report showing Groupama had extended their lead at the head of the fleet.
“However, the end of the day maybe more complicated with the Doldrums,” he added. “With its rubber band effect, our competitors will make their way into the party by moving closer to our stern.”
From : Volvo Ocean Race
