The Lunch of Spring Regatta Champions
BVI Spring Regatta is fast approaching, and sailors are preparing their boats for the British Virgin Islands’ signature regatta. With attention turned to hull cleaning, replacing hardware and discussing race tactics, food is often an afterthought on racing boats.
Granola bars are the norm on some boats, and a basic sandwich might be a special treat. Sailors need sustenance during an intense day of racing, but most of us don’t need a huge meal. And we certainly don’t want food that’s heavy and would induce lethargy. A peanut butter and jelly sandwich or a turkey sandwich would suffice, but they’re boring. For an extra edge on the water—both in terms of energy and crew morale—consider upgrading your food.
For the past few years I’ve been “Boat Mom” for the IC-24 Team LIME, driven by BVIPY’s Colin Rathbun. Occasionally I race with the team, but for Spring Regatta I tend to stay onshore as a regatta volunteer. As an unofficial LIME crew member, my responsibilities include encouraging the crew to get a good night’s sleep before the regatta, reminding the guys to use sunscreen and packing lunches. I’m definitely best at the lunch duties of being Boat Mom.
A couple years ago, Team LIME won Spring Regatta in the ultra competitive IC-24 one-design fleet. I certainly do not claim any part in their victory; however, the crew came off the water declaring the day’s lunch of curried chicken salad wraps their “go-fast” lunch. Perhaps the healthy protein-packed lunch actually gave the LIME crew an edge in the final day of racing.
This chicken salad is packed with flavour courtesy of mango chutney and curry, two popular Caribbean ingredients. Place the chicken salad in wraps, which are great boat food. Unlike bread, wraps can’t be crushed. I pair the curried chicken salad wraps with cut-up apples or grapes (freeze them in advance for a cool treat), baby carrots, and Sun Chips. I also like to surprise the crew with homemade cookies, which are usually a snack en route to the dock (perhaps washed down with a Heineken to kick off the post-racing festivities). My gingersnaps are a particular favourite of Team LIME. Everything is packed in a soft-sided cooler to ensure freshness in the hot Caribbean weather.
While it’s possible that “go-fast” curried chicken wraps may prove the deciding edge for your boat at Spring Regatta, regardless of whether you’re in the front of the fleet or dead last, your crew will enjoy this delicious lunch.
“Go-Fast” Curried Chicken Salad Wraps
Chicken salad has a reputation for being dense, but this recipe is remarkably light.
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1 lb cooked boneless, skinless chicken breast, chopped (about 4 cups)
1/3 – 1/2 c light mayonnaise
1/3 c celery, chopped
3 Tbl green onions, chopped
3 Tbl hot mango chutney
2 Tbl raisins
1 Tbl lemon juice
2 tsp curry powder
6 whole wheat wraps
Lettuce (optional)
Combine first eight ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Divide among whole wheat wraps. Add a piece of lettuce if you like. Makes about six wraps. Adapted from Cooking Light magazine.
