The Boy Who Dreamed of Winning the Volvo Ocean Race
March 27, 2007 by Mean Machine Sailing Team | 0 comments
Ray Davies is one of the most important parts in the team that is Mean Machine. Tactician on board the TP52, skipper on the VO70 that will take on the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-2009 and Peter de Ridder's right-hand man...
Ray Davies is one of the most important parts in the team that is Mean Machine. Tactician on board the TP52, skipper on the VO70 that will take on the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-2009 and Peter de Ridder’s right-hand man; this busy New Zealander is an afterguard member of America’s Cup Emirates Team New Zealand, has already won a Volvo Ocean Race with Illbruck, and is fast becoming a living sailing legend.
We all know what it is to have a dream, but Ray Davies is one of those lucky people who has already seen some of his childhood dreams turn into reality. At just ten years old, he was dreaming about winning a round the world race, and the passage of time has done nothing but prove that dreams can come true, if you wish hard enough.
Ray Davies is the embodiment of that childhood spirit that says “I can”. The spirit of the little boy who, in his little Optimist dinghy, once boldly crossed the bows of mighty boats designed to brave open seas heading off on the Whitbread in Auckland, is still very much alive in Ray Davies.
The photo of the little boy coming face to face with the round the world fleet in his tiny dinghy made the front page of the NZ Herald in Auckland, and left a big and lasting impression on the young Optimist sailor.
Hard work yielded incredible results for this accomplished sailor: a Volvo Ocean Race in 2001 onboard Illbruck; second place with Merit in the 1997 Whitbread; two America’s Cup campaigns with Team New Zealand, and one with America One.
As if that wasn’t enough, this Kiwi knows what it’s like to win various World, European and NZ titles. He’s tasted victory in regattas of the stature of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Race onboard Area and Illbruck, in the Breitling Medcup 2006, and reached the podium three times in legendary Fastnet race.
You’ve been sailing with Peter de Ridder since the Admiral’s Cup 1999 and you’ve done both Volvo Ocean Race and America’s Cup campaigns. What’s Ray Davies up to right now?
I’m sailing with Emirates Team New Zealand and focussing primarily on winning the America’s Cup. At the same time I’m thinking about my role in the Mean Machine programme and developing a winning Volvo challenge, yes we’ve got a lot going on!
After the America’s Cup I’ll have the time to be more involved in our Volvo Ocean Race 2008 project. Mean Machine is a very well structured team; For the Volvo Ocean Race I’m skipper and for the TP52 season I’ll be calling the tactics.
Could you define Mean Machine and Peter de Ridder?
Mean Machine is a team with 20 years experience under its belt. The campaigns and projects are of the highest standard and we compete in the most competitive sailing classes. The Mean Machine name has definitely grown, and some big victories and excellent sailing have gained us a lot of respect over the last few years.
Peter de Ridder is the soul of the team. He is the founder of the Mean Machine family, a passionate sailor and over time he has become one of the best sailors in the world. He’s the type of guy who really knows the boat inside out. He has an instinct when it comes to judging the the wind and is a natural in sailing terms. He is the owner but he’s also part of the team, he understands the boat as good as anybody and he has great feel for the balance of the yacht.
It’s not easy to structure a team as large as Mean Machine, but in general everyone takes care of their own responsibilities and things work well. It’s a global platform but Peter is the soul of the team who brings it all together. Right now he’s fully involved and he has the gift of seeing the bigger picture and making everything work as it should.
Peter’s energy and enthusiasm is really something, to give you an example, he replies personally to every email we get about our different projects!
What is special about Mean Machine team?
The kiwis!!! Just kidding! We have the best of different cultures on board; we have Kiwis, Dutch, English, South Africans and Americans.
We have a nice combination of personalities. It’s not easy sometimes, but if you have good people from various countries things can work well. Peter, Tom Dodson and I have taken lot of time to look for the best guys, the balance and talent. The team is not one person or personality, Mean Machine is a TEAM. We understand nobody is perfect and everyone makes mistakes and the atmosphere on board is very supportive. We have incredible guys on board; some of the key personalities on board that come to mind are Tony Ray and Stu Bettany, They know when to crack a joke to calm a situation down. The crew genuinely enjoy sailing together and that is a big part of the team culture. This team isn’t dominated by one or two people; it’s an example of equality and respect…teamwork.
What are the core values of Mean Machine?
Respect for each other, trust, hard work and passion. In this team everyone gives the very best of themselves, because they know that – trust must be there 100% Everyone has their particular responsibilities too which helps define the roles onboard.
If something goes wrong on board, then you just have to talk about it at the end of the day. At the level we compete at there’s a lot of pressure and you don’t get much relief, so you need to be able to sit down, have a limoncello and talk about it. When the sun comes up the next day you will have learned something; it’s a new day, and a new start. Mistakes happen, what matters is that you learn something from them.
How do you balance being in Emirates Team New Zealand and managing the Mean Machine Volvo Campaign at the same time? What does an America’s Cup mean next to a VOR?
Yes we are building a VOR campaign during an America’s Cup but our VOR will go full throttle ahead once the AC is over. The main focus right now is securing the funding and working with our design team which is lead by Rolf Vrolijk as you would know our designers are involved in the AC too so we need to give ourselves a little time after the cup to finalise our design. In general there are a lot of crossovers between AC and the VOR, as both races are the cutting edge of sailing.
Right now AC is like Formula 1, and there’s a lot that the VOR can learn from an AC. VOR is more like an endurance rally.
Not only can we learn from AC teams in terms of designing boats and sails, there’s also so much to be learned in terms of sponsorship and the value of corporate funding. AC and especially ETNZ have to take special care of sponsors, as we don’t have one big owner paying the whole team. It’s made up of small sponsors and suppliers, so we have to take care of everyone that takes care of us.
Do you think the team structure will have to face significant changes as you take on a race like the Volvo Ocean Race?
The Mean Machine team is going up a level next year with the VOR for sure. It’s real teamwork, not a job for 3 or 4 stars, or a huge team like in the America’s Cup we will boost our numbers but also keep the team tight.
The VOR is very different from any other race. To start with, it’s the biggest race in the world, and for the most part it’s got nothing to do with buoys –you don’t turn a mark and go home in the afternoon! Frankly, it’s tough, a huge challenge. It’s the most extreme team sailing experience in the worlds and you have to battle against the elements every day.
You’re soaked through most of the time, you’re exhausted, but you carry on and give everything you’ve got for the boat. Yes, it’s risky, but it’s also very very exciting. You feel the full force of nature and the elements. It’s not about the individual, without a good team and a great teamwork you are nothing in those conditions.
That’s the reason we wanted to be sure we had a really strong entry. The VOR shares similar values to Mean Machine when it comes to racing, as it epitomises the value of the TEAM. It’s more than sailing, and more than just a few people crossing oceans – it’s about logistics, sponsors, moving containers around the world, media & marketing team, communications…it’s another level that we will go to.
Why are you the skipper of the VO70 Mean Machine?
I have been chosen as skipper because I have had a similar sucessful role on the TP52 circuit. Skipper is not the same as helmsman; the helmsman drives and the skipper coordinates the team, organises the day, and makes sure all the different departments work together as one unit.
The skipper needs to understand the needs of the team first and foremost and the needs to have the respect of the team, which you must gain again every new day.
What is special on a Volvo Ocean sailor?
You need to be an all round sailor to win this race; you need to know about all aspects of sailing the boat; you can’t just trim the sails or drive or navigate. You need to understand the boat as a whole.
To win a round the world race, you don’t need to be the best trimmer in the world, or a big rock star, you don´t need to be the strongest guy in the gym either. Really, it takes a special guy who can be soaked to the bone and tired having been up for five days straight, who can still carry on with the same spirit he started with. Of course you need talent on board, but you need to look for the balance, you need to find those people who have that ability to see the bigger picture. Balance is key – you have to have a tough personality and lots of perspective. Only a select few come back to do it all again after getting through this race.
The next VOR we’re going to see some new features in terms of the course and some other changes. What do you think about the new rule regarding the under-30s?
This time we are going to see young under 30 crew members on board each yacht. I think it’s great. The desire of the new blood to join the race is necessary. You need to mix the next generation of sailors with experienced crew, and it’s going to be a good opportunity for everyone to learn.
Most sailors who do a VOR say they’ll never do it again. Have you ever said that?
I have thought it, but I haven’t said it out loud. I have finished the race as winner once, and had a second place. I don’t remember saying ill never do it again, but then maybe I just have a short memory. Sometimes I have thought “What I am doing here?”. That feeling always goes away really quickly though, almost always when the sun comes out or the breeze comes aft.
What I do remember feeling once is fear. It was during the Sydney Hobart leg, on board Illbruck, when a waterspout was coming at us, we didn’t know what was really going to happen all we had time to do was try lash the sails down as it was coming directly at us.. I think it has been the only time I have really felt scared. If you trust in your team and equipment, you can get a bit nervous, but not scared.
Which is the most important role in a VOR team?
Maybe the helmsman; you need to really concentrate on getting the maximum speed out of the boat, in a controlled enviroment. These boats are big skiffs and they can really rip in the correct hands.
What’s the hardest thing about a VOR?
Working in a environment where you don’t sleep very much and you feel absolutely exhausted.
The best thing about it?
Rounding Cape Horn and the feeling of the satisfaction of being part of a great team.
What is VOR for you?
Excitement, adventure and team work.
I can’t say I’ve had the chance to check out one of your concerts, but I’ve heard that you play in a rock band…
Uhmmmm… that’s another story…
It’s is important to have fun and a balance in life
The sweetest victory
The 2001 Volvo Ocean Race. There was a great feeling of satisfaction as we crossed the finish line in Keil. We had worked so hard throughout our 3 year campaign to finish with a win was a huge buzz.
The worst regatta
My worst regatta was a 24hr race I did with my brother in lasers it was 25 to 30kts at the start, so we began the race both in the boat two up, the trouble was the breeze never dropped so we ended up sailing the full 24hrs together as we got to a point where we were too tired to sail one up.
The team you have sailed with and felt most comfortable
It was without doubt our TP52 Mean Machine team from last year, we had some very tough competition but we just sailed better and better the more important the races became. That is the sign of a great team.
Your sailing references
It has changed a few times over the years: first was Peter Blake, after that Grant Dalton and then Russell Coutts, there are now many very talented sailors whom I have a huge amount of respect for and not just the glamour guys you see on the water!
