Ship-shape is a plastic box Except for wet-weather clothing, sleeping bags and pillows, each crew volunteer's ENTIRE BELONGINGS during the race must be fitted into two plastic boxes about the size of a medium suitcase (525x430x280mm). It's a good job food doesn't count as personal belongings because the grocery list looks like an Army preparing for siege. Between them the crews will get through: nearly a tonne of curry and half a tonne of chilli, two tonnes of pasta and three quarters of a tonne of bolognaise, a tonne of peas and two thirds of a tonne of mixed vegetables, nearly a tonne of mashed potatoes, and two tonnes of chunky, minced, curried or sweet and sour chicken.... To follow there are 10,500 portions of chocolate or peach delight, and 3,500 portions of cherry cheesecake. To wash it down they'll get through 68,000 litres of fruit juice. And 380,000 tea bags will help them not to chill-out during cold watches. In case you're wondering, about 1,835 toilet rolls will be used during the race.... 6,000 calories per day are required in the Southern Ocean to sustain activity - the same as a fully fit commando on duty. With no refrigeration on board, once fresh foods have been consumed the crews must rely on vacuum packed and freeze dried foods. 13,000 man hours are required to build each yacht.

bt.com
	Copyright British Telecommunications plc 1996.