Ever wonder what it?s like to be a sailor in the Volvo Ocean Race? Ericsson Racing Team crew member and medic Richard Mason, 31, of New Zealand, and helmsman/trimmer Damian Foxall, 36, of Ireland, let The Examiner in on what it?s like to live onboard.
Crew members burn about 7,000 calories per day “depending on what role you have” on the boat, Mason said. That means they have to try and maintain their weight in order to be in the best shape possible. The crew eats two hot meals, one cold meal (such as porridge) and two protein bars ? which Mason called “absolutely disgusting” ? per day. The food is vacuum-packed so it will stay fresh and dry. In addition to that, each crew member takes about 30 vitamin and mineral pills every day, even when ashore.
